December 31, 2004 was announced as the national mourning day for the victims killed in the aftermath of Sunday's tsunami and a ceremony was held here at the downtown Predris Park.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajpakse, main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and scores of other political and religious celebrities attended the ceremony.

President Kumaratunga told the gathering of around 2,000 people that the nation has to learn lessons from the disaster which has claimed over 20,000 lives.

"I extend my deepest and heartful sympathies to all Sri Lankans and foreign nationals affected in this disaster," said the president.

Kumaratunga also urged all religious and political sectors of the nation to kick off joint-handedly the reconstruction progress.

Wickremesinghe, the former prime minister, pledged that his party will cooperate fully with the government in the battle against the aftermath and the rebuilding campaign.

A song composed for the tidal wave tragedy and a sculpture to memorize the victims were on their maiden show at the ceremony.

Source: Xinhua