She made the remarks at a ceremony to mark the tenth anniversary of the disaster held at Crow's Island in Mutwal in Colombo today (December 26).

"Because of the tsunami 70,000 houses were destroyed, schools and roads were destroyed. Electricity was disrupted. To overcome all this we had the support of the international community. The present climate created by the Rajapaksa administration which is destructive does not leave room for anything favourable to take place", said the former President.

Speaking on the occasion Common Opposition Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena said over the past ten years after the tsunami under the Mahinda Rajapaksa government the people did not benefit by way of any development to overcome the tragedy.

"Ten years ago after the tsunami the whole country was in sorrow. Some 40,000 people lost their lives. To rebuild the lives of the survivors there had to be a national effort. Today even development in the aftermath of natural calamities has to pay a price. What is needed today is technical expertise at national level with a responsible approach. After January 8 we will be able to implement this kind of a policy in a new government", said Maithripala.