SARID project leader in Sri Lanka Vinod Moonesinghe (vkm@sltnet.lk) has been transporting provisions to affected areas since the 27th. One of SARID's volunteers in Sri Lanka, Nirosha Tilekaratne, was at her home on the southwest coast when the tidal wave struck; she and her neighbours survived by running 6 kilometers to the nearest inland town (http://www.sarid.net/archives/2004-december/041228-nirosha.htm).

Mr. Moonesinghe says that there is a tremendous spirit of self-help among the people and great bravery in trying to rescue others. The smell of mud and death is overwhelming. The survivors are gathering at temples, churches, mosques and schools on higher land. They are being told not to return to their home areas until the dead have been buried by the army. The priests, though untrained in relief matters, are coping as well as they can. Curiously, the most sturdy structures to have survived have been toilets, which are usually built on top of concrete septic tanks.  Considering that the worst hit areas were coastal urban centres whose infrastructures were wiped out, the government is distributing provisions quite well. Electricity was restored to stricken areas within 3 days. There appear to be no foreign relief workers, except for some photographers. Doctors from all over the island have been taking medicines to the affected areas. Private individuals have donated food and other supplies. It is mainly the people themselves who are organising to help each other, for instance, clearing roads and directing vehicles. 

For more information, please contact:  Dr. Janaki Blum, Spokeswoman/Director, SARID, tel.: 617.492.0764, e-mail: jblum@sarid.net