Remembering the tsunami | Hikkaduwa

A popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka is the coastal town of Hikkaduwa. Valued for its glorious golden beach, aquamarine waters, incredible waves and party atmosphere, Hikkaduwa appears to be the tropical paradise every traveller is looking for.

Though behind the bliss lies the stark reminder of the devastation that hit Sri Lanka ten years ago. When lying on the beach with a cocktail in hand it is difficult to imagine what it must have been like when the sea began to disappear before the giant waves of the tsunami hit.

Although the majority of the wreckage has been long restored, there are still traces of the damage left. Whether it be the high water marks on the beachfront guesthouse or the buildings still abandoned, it’s clear to see that Hikkaduwa is still physically and emotionally recovering.

When we arrived, it was one week after the ten year anniversary and so it only felt right to visit the heartfelt memorials.

 

First we headed to the 174ft tall Buddha statue built to commemorate the lives lost in the tsunami. Built on its own little island surrounded by water, we crossed the bridge for a closer look. Towering above us, the statue was powerful yet somehow delicate, reminding us of the simultaneous strength and beauty of nature.

With its protective gaze watching over the town, the statue seems to provide great comfort to the locals.

Another memorial  can be found just outside Hikkaduwa that depicts the terror of the tsunami in a bronze cast mural. Highlighting the destruction of the town and deaths of their people, the mural is a striking reminder of how much devastation occurred on that day. The artwork was beautifully haunting and gave a real sense of how frightening it must have been for the locals who had never even heard of the word ‘tsunami’.

Nearby is the tsunami photo exhibition where you can see photographs taken on the day, as well as photos taken of the wreckage left behind, and the enormous clean-up operation that followed. Seeing the graphic photographs of recovered bodies of men, women and children, and reading the survivors’ stories was heart-breaking and made me feel so grateful for what I have. I suppose it was a bit of a wakeup call as it certainly put things in perspective.

From the orphaned children’s artwork showing the terror of that day through their eyes, to the tragic tales of parents whose children had still not been found, the whole exhibition brought tears to my eyes. This piece in particular really touched me.

After the sombre experience of the exhibition, we ended the sad day with a positive spin when we took a boat out to Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya. Situated on an island off the coast, the temple is the only building in the area to have survived the tsunami and is considered a miracle by the locals. The journey to the island was short and the boys who took us across were all very friendly and quick to offer a strong hand to help me on and off the boat. It was a real glimmer of hope to Sri Lanka and one I was glad to see up close.

I would wholeheartedly recommended visiting these four sights if you’re in the area to not only help you understand the history of Sri Lanka, but also to remind yourself of how lucky you are to have been spared from witnessing first-hand the tragedy of a tsunami.