The 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami was one of the most devastating natural hazards ever recorded in Sri Lankan history, taking the lives of thousands of people while displacing millions. In the aftermath, the Sri Lankan Government, in collaboration with many international and local non-governmental organisations, initiated massive relocation efforts, including declaring a ‘No Construction Zone’ along the coastline and resettling displaced communities away from the Coastline. Despite these efforts, subsequent studies immediately after the relocation efforts have raised questions regarding its efficacy in the long term. In line with the 20th anniversary of the Tsunami, the study at hand discusses the impact of Tsunami relocation efforts on affected communities a long time after relocation by taking Galle and Batticaloa as case studies, which were heavily affected by the 2004 Tsunami. The study explored (a) the issues and challenges that have emerged from the relocation process ‘a long time’ after relocation, (b) livelihoods and social infrastructure restoration initiatives, (c) the gendered impacts of post-tsunami relocation, (d) the impact exerted by the relocation process on vulnerable groups such as children, the disabled and the elderly, (e) the current status of Tsunami Early Warning Mechanisms and preparedness in Sri Lanka (f) long-term impacts of post-Indian Ocean Tsunami reconstruction, (e) the status of community formation and social cohesion amongst relocated communities, and (f) coping and adaptation strategies employed by the relocated communities to overcome the challenges. These objectives were explored among 4 groups: original tsunami resettlers, original resettlers who moved back to the buffer zone, new settlers, and the host community. In addition to data gathered from 650 respondents using questionnaires and structured interview schedules, 30 in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants in the 4 relocation sites. The study's findings revealed many negative impacts that relocated populations face, such as increased distance to the city, which has reduced accessibility to educational and employment opportunities. The study also revealed a propensity for resettlers to return to their previous places in the Buffer Zone, revealing that relocation was unsuccessful in the long term. Furthermore, the relocation process disrupted the social relations of the elderly and impacted the educational opportunities of children, with a significant impact on poorer communities. Hence, the relocation process has increased the vulnerability of populations affected by the Tsunami and has been unsuccessful at mitigating the socio-economic challenges of the affected populations following the relocation. Hence relocation has to be considered as a long-term process in a way that vulnerabilities of affected populations are mitigated.