THE first anniversary of the tsunami that ripped across the Indian Ocean passed on Boxing Day with Islanders marking the occasion by lighting candles in their windows.

The tribute was described by Jersey Side By Side Appeal chairman Mike Wavell as ‘a very appropriate flicker of hope.’ More than 200,000 people lost their lives last year when the second biggest earthquake in recorded history unleashed a devastating tsunami that obliterated villages, communities and lives in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Maldives and Somalia.

The Jersey Side By Side Appeal – which began with 5,000 Islanders gathering on St Ouen’s beach to spell out a message of support – raised £2m within a few months of the event, and has continued to support efforts to rebuild villages in Sri Lanka.

Appeal chairman Mike Wavell said they were determined to carry on doing all they can, and added that they had arranged for former Sri Lankan international cricket players to visit Jersey in the summer to take on Islanders in a ’20/20′ match.