The great tsunami fightback

The South was severely affected by the ferocious tsunami of December 26. More than 30,900 lives were lost and nearly one million were displaced in the

unprecedented disaster. Thousands of houses and other buildings were claimed by the waves. It brought out the best in humanity, as everyone forgot ethnic, religious, political and other differences and helped in earnest to alleviate the suffering of the victims.

Hambantota was the worst affected area in the South. Most of the town was destroyed by the huge tidal waves which swept in early morning on that Sunday. But the resilience and courage of Southern denizens knew no bounds. In their quest to get back on their own feet, they were helped in no small measure by local and foreign volunteers who flocked in their hundreds. A massive influx of local and foreign aid also enabled them to achieve a measure of normality in their shattered lives.

What was evident was the effort of those affected to get back on to their feet by their own efforts rather than depend on foreign and local aid. Even though the tsunami shattered their lives and destroyed their property, the people have turned the tsunami into a blessing which would encourage them to build a secure future rising up from the remnants of the tsunami disaster.

Temporary houses that are being built for those who lost their dewlling places are now receiving government and foreign assistance.

There were a number of temporary dwellings being put up in the Matara district by the Army. Around 400 soldiers together with officers of the Gemunu Regiment are now coordinating clearing up work as well as assistance for reconstruction work.

Worthy of mention is the fact that around 60 soldiers - 10th GW and 14 GW of the Gemunu regiment arrived on the scene immediately after the tsunami struck Hambantota and cleared the devastated area and searched for dead bodies as well as transporting patients to the hospital. The services rendered by these devoted soldiers depict human magnanimity in the face of disaster.

The pictures on this page depict the aftermath scenes of the tsunami captured by our photographer Mahinda Vithanachchi who was on a tour of the Southern coastline last week.