When: December 26, 2005
Time: 7.00 p.m.
Where: The Sea Shore, Places of Religious Worship and Community Centers in All Districts
Participants; Families of Tsunami Victims, Civil Society and Sarvodaya Volunteers
“Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Let us, in unison, light a lantern in loving memory of every life lost.
May the glow of this lantern bring you comfort and blessings to your lost loved ones.
There is a light in all of us……..we just need to share it.
Wishing you all love, peace and happiness”
Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne
Sarvodaya will commemorate the first Anniversary in memory of tsunami victims by initiating a nationwide memorial ceremony on December 26th. This event is designed to unite as many citizens of Sri Lanka in memory of the victims of the tsunami disaster and embraces all religious and ethnic communities. The bereaved families have been provided with lanterns to light on the anniversary in unison with the rest of the community.
Civil society will join the families of the victims on the seashore in the affected villages at 7 p.m. on 26th December for the village ceremonies. As an alternative, where the tsunami affected families so wish they will light the remembrance lanterns in their homes in front of pictures of the departed, or in a temple, kovil, church or mosque or at a community gathering. In addition, in every district around the island, the Sarvodaya “Shanthi Sena†will arrange a similar ceremony in a place of religious worship or at a community center. Thus, a symbolic ring of light will be created by the families of the victims and the community around the entire island to serve as a fitting memorial.
The main ceremony organized by Sarvodaya will be held under the leadership of Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne in Wenamulla in Ambalangoda (just before Peraliya where the train disaster took place) and another ceremony will also be arranged at Galle Face under the leadership of Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Executive Director, Sarvodaya. Both events will take place at 7 p.m.