Tsunami struck Sri Lankan shores on Boxing Day
[Part 2]
by Justice P.H.K. Kulatilaka
Expert evidence coming from Prof. Sarath Kotagama, Dept. of
Environmental Science, Mr. D. Kariyawasam, Dept of Wild Life
Conservation and Dr. R.A.D.D Samaranayaka, Director Coast Conservation
Department revealed that in most areas eco- systems and natural habitat
had acted as the first line of defence to the invading Tsunami waves.
There were instances where sandy beaches, sand dunes [ Maharavana
Revula and Bimthamburuwa], rock studded beaches [Beruwala], coral reefs,
lagoons[Negombo], wetlands and mangroves [Bentara and Rekawa village]
were able to stand and absorb the wave action thereby mitigating the
devastation.
Human factor
According to a study carried out by the Coast Conservation Department
uncontrolled and unscrupulous human activities such as sea coral mining
and sand mining provided easy prey to ravaging Tsunami waves. Peraliya
in Seenigama where the train tragedy occurred is a classic example.
The giant wave had struck the moving passenger train with such a
great force that it tore the train apart and carried it en masse for a
distance of about 50 meters. This stretch of the coast is below sea
level.
It enabled the sea waves brought in by the giant wave easy access to
about one and half kilometers inland.
A suggestion came from the experts that it would be a wise move to
put up in the vulnerable coastal areas middle or high reinforce concrete
buildings which will serve as shelter sites for people in time of need.
In the aftermath of Tsunami episode a policy decision was taken to
demarcate a 'Buffer Zone' where no dwelling houses or any other
buildings would be permitted to stand.
In Kahandaramodara where man had destroyed man groves effect of
Tsunami wave was badly felt. Artificial canals that connected the
lagoons with the sea afforded a ready passage for the giant wave to
swallow up Hambantota.
In this regard there were suggestions coming up from experts to take
steps to plant up the buffer zone stretching inland from the main high
water line. They also highlighted the need to make proper selection of
plants which grow well in saline conditions.
Human response - a miracle
This was one occasion where everybody cried. Everybody shed a tear
for heartbreaking ones. The world at large came to know that Sri Lankan
is one with a passion to help the others in the community in the hour of
need.
Boxing Day dawned with the Church bells ringing announcing the dawn
of Peace. For the Catholics in the coastal areas it was a day to
celebrate. For the others Hindus Muslims and Buddhists it was a day to
relax.
The giant wave Tsunami was heartless and inconsiderate, no respecter
of race, religion, language, sex or age. Just like the ruthless
terrorist who massacred innocent villagers in Kebthigollawa it caused
mayhem and chaos in a matter of minutes. It gave no chance to escape. It
was a huge wall of water. There had been instances where people perished
in trying to save the lives of others. In Matara a swimming trainer
after rescuing a number of people from drowning and taking them to
safety hurried back struggling against the tide to reach a person
hanging on to a log. Albeit, he vanished sure to be buried in a watery
grave. An unsung hero was he.
It was a public holiday. Government offices were closed. It took
nearly two days for the government to put its rescue mechanisms into
operation.
No sooner the giant wave died down people flocked in thousands to the
rescue of their kith and kin who were extremely desperate for help.
All religious places in the affected areas the Buddhist temples
taking the lead, churches, kovils and mosques opened their doors to the
hapless Tsunami victims. All in all it was a show of loving kindness to
all alike.
Typhoon Haiyan
Reporting about Typhoon Haiyan which struck Philippines recently The
Telegraph Group, London 2013 had this to say, 'Supplies of food and
water are running dangerously short in many regions while hospitals in
the worst hit areas are barely functioning due to a lack of medicine'.
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