A VIGIL OF LIGHT AND UNITY

UK Sri Lankan Diaspora Remembers the Victims of Cyclone Ditwah

- BY TINA EDWARD GUNAWARDHANA

Considered by many as the worst natural disaster Sri Lanka has faced in recent times, Cyclone Ditwah unleashed unprecedented destruction across the island, leaving thousands displaced, vital infrastructure crippled, and families mourning irreplaceable loss. Entire villages were submerged, livelihoods were washed away, and communities that once bustled with life were reduced to silence and debris. As Sri Lanka began the long and arduous journey toward recovery, the emotional toll of the catastrophe reverberated far beyond its shores, deeply affecting Sri Lankans living abroad.

In London last Saturday, that collective grief found expression in a candlelight vigil organised under the auspices of the Sri Lankan High Commission in the United Kingdom. Held at Marble Arch, London, the gathering brought together members of the UK Sri Lankan diaspora who stood shoulder to shoulder in remembrance of the victims and in solidarity with those whose lives had been irrevocably altered by the cyclone.

Despite an initial logistical setback — a last-minute change of venue from Trafalgar Square to Marble Arch — a sizeable crowd turned up, undeterred by the biting winter cold. Wrapped in coats and scarves, attendees braved the freezing conditions, underscoring the depth of feeling that compelled them to be present. The mood was sombre and reflective, punctuated by moments of quiet resolve and shared purpose.