The train tragedy at Peraliya

Tragic train: This February 2005 photo shows villagers beginning to rebuild homes near the wreckage of the Sea Queen train in Peraliya. — Reuters

If the Ruhunu Kumari had not been stuck at this Sri Lankan town, many residents may not have died.

THE Ruhunu Kumari train, which was engulfed by the Indian Ocean Tsunami in the south-western coastal town of Peraliya near Telwatta on that fateful morning of Dec 26, 2004, has gone down as the largest loss of life in railroad history.