20th Tsunami Commemoration was jointly organised by Tsunami Charity together with
Sri Lanka High Commission on Thursday 19th December 2024 at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.

This special event honoured the thousands of lives lost, acknowledged the resilience of survivors, reinforced the importance of preparedness, solidarity in the face of all disasters and the need to support affected communities

On behalf of the Tsunami Charity, Lalith de Kauwe, Chair said that:

“It was important to remember.
On behalf of the Tsunami Trustees and the Tsunami Committee, he said that it was an honour to speak at this seminal event in remembrance. That it was a salutary lesson, that the Tsunami, that was unleashed with all that was terrible, on innocent, defenceless women, men and children, did not distinguish between Sinhala and Tamil. Buddhist, Hindum Muslim or Christian.
He said that in the scale of that catastrophe we were small. It opened our eyes. We could not turn away.

He spoke about the wide range of social justice and environmental justice projects in all parts of Sri Lanka that the Tsunami Charity supported to make a tangible difference.

He spoke in support of the Sri Lanka Government at this critical time, to re-set its relationship with the Sri Lankan community in this country and to re-set its bilateral relationship with the UK government going forward.

He pledged support to President Anura Dissanayake a man of integrity and the progressive NPP Government for the benefit of the common causes of the rule of law, social justice and environmental justice in Sri Lanka.

He concluded that today there was a new dawn, an unbelievable new dawn for the country, where together we will make all the difference to create a better world.”

In a vote of thanks Azize Chelliah, Sri Lankan Lawyers Tsunami Charity Trustee congratulated Mrs Manorie Mallikaratchy SLHC Deputy, Acting High Commissioner, Mrs Hiruni Rajspakse Minister Counsellor and SLHC staff for their excellent work in making possible this seminal event.