On 23rd December 2014, Sri Lankans and Austrians gathered at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Vienna to mark the tenth anniversary of the Asian Tsunami that occurred on 26th December 2004.
H.E. Mrs. Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, Ambassador and Director General in the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Mr. Omar Al-Rawi, Member of the City Council of Vienna and Mr. ALA Azeez, Ambassador of Sri Lanka, led the commemoration. The event commenced with the lighting of a lamp and observance of two minutes silence in memory of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Azeez spoke of the devastation and the loss caused by the Tsunami and highlighted the international outpouring of sympathy and assistance received by Sri Lanka, including from Austria. He recalled the assistance provided by the Government and Armed Forces of Austria in the immediate aftermath, the SOS Village built with the assistance of the people of Styria and Salzburg and individual Austrians who had undertaken private initiatives to assist those affected by this tragedy. Ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger while highlighting the tragic consequences of the Tsunami, also stated that the world could draw hope from the lessons learnt from this enormous tragedy. Mr. Omar al-Rawi too addressed the gathering. They took the opportunity to reiterate the continued goodwill and friendship of Austrians towards Sri Lanka and its people.
A religious event ensued, representing the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic faiths, invoking blessings on all those who had been affected by the Tsunami and on the people of Sri Lanka. The blessings were followed by an almsgiving to invoke merit on those who had lost their lives in this tragedy.
The event also included a presentation on the impact of the Tsunami and the relief measures and reconstruction activities undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka, with the assistance of foreign countries.
The commemorative ceremony was attended by Austrian officials and representatives of the Armed Forces, representatives of the City of Vienna and Burgenland, Sri Lanka's Honorary Consuls, friends of Sri Lanka from Austria and accredited countries and the Sri Lanka community in Austria.
Embassy & Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Vienna
29th December 2014
