SRI LANKA: As darkness fell on Sri Lanka last night thousands of people from all walks of life, all faiths, from across the world, stood united in silence as shorelines were lit up by a chain of candle lanterns.
The lanterns, made by bereaved families, represented each of the 35,000 victims who perished in the tsunami which devastated much of the island a year ago yesterday.
They were placed on foreshores in the coastal areas worst affected and lit as the sun began to set.
Many tearful tourists held hands, while Sri Lankans, dignified throughout, stared at the sea in quiet reflection.
As prayers were relayed to the crowds over loudspeakers local youths swam out to sea carrying lanterns - some in coconut shells, others in paper bags.
Fishing boats in harbours formed a line and turned on their lights in an attempt to continue the chain.
One of the local dignitaries involved in the event at Unawatuna, south of the city of Galle, told the crowd: "We lost many lives, hundreds and thousands. The candle is to remind us of them."
Similar ceremonies took place around the coast, some lasting until dawn.
The tsunami crashed through coastal towns and villages in the east, south and south west of the country.
Earlier, at 9.30am (03.30GMT), the time when the waves struck the island, the normally bustling cities, beach resorts and tiny fishing villages, paid their respects.
Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksha attended a commemoration at Peraliya village, where a train was derailed by the giant waves and around 800 people died. The service was held only yards from where the tragedy took place, with a train passing through shortly before the service began.
Thousands of people gathered along the coastline - staring out to sea, some shaking their heads as services took place.
After religious observances, the national flag was lowered to half mast before the two-minute silence.
In his address Mr Rajapaksha thanked other nations for their help. "It was not only our country; all the world suffered. In a short time we lost thousands of people. The crazy ocean took them away."
He went on: "Sri Lankans from all walks of life, from all parts of the country, came forward regardless of any racial, religious or caste barriers and gave us courage and strength to rise up in the face of this unprecedented catastrophe which is called the tsunami.
"We must also extend our deep debt of gratitude to the world's community too, who stretched out their hand of friendship to us in that hour of need in the name of humanity."
The president met seven tsunami orphans and presented them with a bank account, patting each one on the shoulder as he did so. A fund has been set up by the Sri Lankan government's Ministry for Children for 1,100 orphans who will receive about €7.50 a month until they are 18.
In the city of Galle, hundreds of commuters at the bus station stood in silence as they remembered the waves which devastated much of the coastline and plunged families into deeper poverty.
Already stricken by poverty and long-running civil unrest, it was the poorest people who lived by the beach who suffered the most.
Hundreds of thousands were displaced and lost their livelihoods and one year later most remain in transitional shelters.
Locals fear that it could be years before enough houses are built to permanently rehouse those who lost everything.