Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Genre: History / Disaster Report / Memoir

Book Review:
Tsunami Train is a moving and powerful account of one of the most tragic events in Sri Lanka's modern history—the 2004 tsunami and the devastating loss of the Ocean Queen Express at Peraliya. Author Ralph Gunawardena, a banker turned humanitarian, has crafted a book that serves both as a historical record and a tribute to the over 1,400 passengers who lost their lives in the world's worst railway disaster.

Gunawardena's personal connection to the tragedy is deeply felt. He was so affected by the destruction that he dedicated himself to helping survivors, working with organizations like CandleAid, World Vision, and Jesuit Priests. His passion for honoring the victims and bringing hope to those left behind is the driving force of this book. He also organized the tenth-year commemoration at the site, bringing together Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Muslim communities in a powerful act of unity.

The book is a simple but captivating read, filled with emotion and a sense of purpose. It also touches on Gunawardena's efforts to promote Sri Lankan tourism in the wake of the disaster, an endeavor that earned him a Presidential Award in 2009.

Tsunami Train is essential reading for anyone interested in Sri Lanka's modern history, the human impact of natural disasters, and the resilience of the human spirit.