In 1996-1998 , during the DMK reign , the memorial was remodelled at a cost of 27.5 million and the entrance arch carried the design of ' Rising Sun ' , the symbol of the DMK party . However , the design was removed after the AIADMK party returned to power in May 2001 . The renovation resulted in the original tusk-shaped entrance arch giving way to a highly polished marble tiled structure , widened pathways , and building of ornamental octagonal '' mantapams '' . After the Indian Ocean tsunami struck the coastal parts of the state in December 2004 , the memorial , along with other structures on the seashore , was affected . Subsequently , repair works were undertaken at a cost of 13.3 million
Indian Ocean tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Anna Memorial