Scenes of Destruction

Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara through its BCDF began surveying the situation from the day of the disaster. Members didn't have to go far to find first hand information. Just ten miles southwest of the temple, in Morotuwa, the chaos caused was readily apparent. There the railroad and the highway ran parallel to the beach. The road is about 20 yards from the waters edge and between the road and the railroad tracks had been rows of simple congested homes. They were reduced to rubble or erased off the map.

Convinced of the severity of the situation BCDF loaded cooked food parcels into vans and distributed them as they drove along the almost impassable roads. Returning to the temple they organized the BCDF and its supporting community for a more massive aid effort. On December 29th, Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Wimalaratana, and others left the temple with lorries filled with food, water, medicine and other essentials. Some of the coastal roads had been cleared but long detours inland were required in many spots. This time they made their way as far as Galle, a city 72 miles south of Colombo, completely devastated by the fury of the sea..

Relief party gets first look at devastation near Moratuwa on December 27.	A makeshift tent to replace their home.	Neighbors sharing a common plight.
Not only homes but livelihoods too were destroyed	Many of those affected were fishermen.	Boats on the beach means fishermen are jobless.
The force of the waves washed away roads and railroad tracks.	Ven. Wimalaratana and the Maha Sangha at Bellanwila chant pirith for the victims, dead and living.