Tsunami anniversary: Sri Lankans gather where a train was swept away

Sri Lankans marked two minutes of silence, lit oil lamps, held religious ceremonies and provided alms to invoke blessings on those killed by the devastating waves of the tsunami that claimed an estimated 40,000 lives in the country one year ago.

The main national ceremony to mark the first anniversary was held at the site where some 1,500 people perished when a train was hit in the tidal waves at Peraliya, 110km south of the capital.

Addressing the nation from the site, President Mahinda Rajapakse called on the country to unite to meet any challenges and expressed his gratitude to the foreign countries and individuals that stepped forward to assist the country.

"The disaster may have given us this painful, but important lesson, that the people in the country should unite and work together to rebuild the nation," Rajapakse said.

In places of worship -- Christian churches, Hindu temples and Muslim mosques -- special prayers were offered, while alms were being given to the poor to invoke blessings for the dead.

At 9:32am all vehicle traffic was brought to a standstill and pedestrians stood at attention to mark two minutes of silence in remembrance of those killed.