Monday, December 26 2005 14:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Peraliya (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse today (Dec 26, 2005) led the nation in paying homage to the victims of the tsunami disaster and pledged to introduce a 'new dynamism' in reconstruction work which he admitted was moving slowly.

After observing two-minutes silence to show respect to an estimated 31,000 people who died in the catastrophe that hit the island last year, the President said the aid distribution had been less than satisfactory.

"Have we been able to do maximum justice to those who sacrificed their lives as victims of this tragedy? Have we been able to carry forward the great strength our people demonstrated just after the tragedy?" Rajapakse asked.

"It is my belief that we are unable to answer both these questions to our satisfaction."

Launching a new initiative called 'Jaya Lanka' which seeks to bring all reconstruction-related institutions under one umbrella, Rajapakse said he would introduce a 'new dynamism' into rebuilding tsunami-hit coastlines.

The main official tsunami commemorative ceremony was conducted at the Jinaratana Maha Vidyalaya school in Peraliya, 95 kms south of Colombo, which was also submerged by last year's tsunami.

The Government also released four commemorative stamps to mark the first tsunami anniversary.

In the eastern coastal town of Arugam Bay, one of the worst affected areas, residents offered free lunch to people still without homes.

Security remained tight across the country amid fears of Tamil rebel attacks.

In the island's eastern district of Batticaloa, which was also hit by the tsunami, the remembrance events were overshadowed by the slaying of a key Tamil legislator Joseph Pararaajasingham on Christmas day.

The mortal remains of the legislator were taken to a rebel held area today for the guerrillas to pay respects to him. The final burial day is yet to be finalised, a family member said.