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Sewalanka Foundation's Chairman, Mr. Harsha Kumara Navaratne reflects on the work completed during the first six months after the tsunami hit Sri Lanka on 26 December 2004.
When the tsunami struck Sri Lanka on 26 December 2004, I was in a remote area of southern India with Sewalanka’s Vice-Chairman. By the time we had heard the news and were able to contact Sri Lanka, we found that our staff had already begun mobilising resources to respond to the disaster.
In the coastal districts, Sewalanka staff members were using every asset at their immediate disposal to assist bereaved and displaced families. The Vavuniya office was collecting supplies, loading lorries, and moving in to support its neighbours in the North and East. The head office was serving as an information hub and coordinating the transport of goods to the South.
The commitment and rapid response of our staff was matched by our international partners, who immediately contacted us and pledged their support. Within days, a task force from our long-time partner Germany Agro Action (GAA) was on the ground to assist with the coordination of emergency relief. With the support of our existing partners like GAA and Japanese Centre for Conflict Preventation, and new partners like Concern International, DanChurchAid, and People in Need we were able to able to quickly develop district-level programs for transitioning from relief aid distributions to rehabilitation and livelihood redevelopment.
The first few weeks were extremely challenging, but there was one bright spot in the midst of all the devastation. The humanitarian response from Sri Lankan citizens and the international community was overwhelming. Volunteers from all walks of life and from all parts of the country mobilized, collected food, drinking water, and basic supplies, and organized transport to the most affected areas. For a time, conventional divides were forgotten as Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and international volunteers worked side by side to remove debris, clean wells, and deliver aid.
Now, the most difficult period is behind us. Emergency needs have been met and tsunami-affected communities have been resettled in transitional shelters across the island. Sewalanka has now shifted its focus to a new challenge: rebuilding sustainable livelihoods in tsunami and conflict-affected communities. As we turn to the future, this special edition of the Sewalanka newsletter pauses to recognise the accomplishments of the past several months.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our development partners for their ongoing support, our international friends who have committed invaluable time and resources, and the Sri Lankan Government and LTTE Administration for their coordination efforts. Finally, I would like to thank our staff, the Sewalanka family, for their dedication and energy. Many of them worked for days without sleep and for months without a day off. From district directors to drivers, they have showed an enormous strength under pressure and we are proud of their contribution.
Harsha Kumara Navaratne
Chairman
