"Fishermen are still without boats. Since their own boats haven't been repaired in most cases, they are without work. Their only hope is to work as day laborers on the boats of richer fishermen." this statement, made by Dr. Enoka is incorrect. all of the fishermen who had boats before tsunami got their broken boats replaced by various organizations and private donors. most of the people who claim that they didnt get boats are those who never owned a boat their whole life. not every fisherman in sri lanka has his own boat. around 70% work on boats that belong to others. it has always been like this. imagine every fishermen owning a boat; a bige boat needs a crew of at least 10 members while a small boat needs at least 2. when every fisherman gets his own boat, either big small, where should he get his crew members from? he certainly cant take people from the street.

Yes I totally agree with Ranjith Piyawansha. I worked in Sri Lanka several years ago in the Galle to Matara region. I have a dear friend in Matara who tells me in his letters there are many fisherman claiming boats who didn't even own one before the tsunami! They are even more forgotten there. He and his family are still living in a tent with 150 other people. They don't even have a tin hut never mind a new boat. Needless to say I am trying to help him in whichever way I can.

I don't think you can generalize one way or the other. Having just spent a month in the Galle area, I found that there are certainly situations where people don't have the tools to regain their livelihood (whether a boat, sewing machine, etc). But there are also situations where people are trying to take advantage of tsunami relief resources by obtaining things they never had before the tsunami hit. Enoka is absolutely right about one thing: houses are not being rebuilt quickly enough, and it is discouraging, given the amount of tsunami relief funding out there. In working to help rebuild houses, I found that there is both a lack of motivation coupled with a fair amount of corruption and misappropriation of resources. I can only hope that things are improving.

Enoka comments are right, how can you support someone through the trauma of what happen when the Tsunami hit, when life is complicated further by the fact they have no tools or the equipment to make a living. Whilst women in the camps will form their own support groups, men unfortunately will turn to drink, causing a downward spiral. Whilst food and shelter were the priority, surely getting these men back to work will help not only therapeutically, but also more importantly on a practical level. Then prehaps the psychologist will be able to make an impact. Unfortunately the red tape and slow response of the goverment has not really helped. I myself will be returning in July to try and get tools and the equipment to the people needing and willing to put them to good use.

I feel really sad to hear the progress on fixing problems caused by December 2004 tsunami! However one has to understand no matter what happen in Sri Lanka there are families who are helping to rebuild Weligama area. Here is a such an organization and please join this organization to rebuild Weligama http://lankadirect.org/

Thank you,
Geshan

Dear Mihael
Thank you very much for your wonderful work in Sri Lanka.I read the article about Enoka and Chatura. Enoka's point of view I admire her dedication and courage.She is doing a great job and it is very important that we all should encourage her to continue with her good work.I disagreed with her comment "there is little a psychiatrist can do to help people who are without work and without home". Very often in third world countries post disater trauma stress disorder alleviation is undervalued and neglected.She is doing a great job by assisting and comforting the children like Chatura who was subjected to immense psychological trauma. The children are the most vulnerable groups in such a situation like this and therefore it is importnat to assist them to be mentally stable and to overcome the disaster psychosis. We have set up a cahrity called 'Share and Care' Based in London. The organisation was set up to support the communities in Sri Lanka affected by Boxing day Tsunami. Sponsorship of children is our key objective, helping them to realise their full potential.Most of these children have lost either one or both parents siblings and loved ones.Adinner dance event is being organised for Sunday 11th of September and we are publising an A4 souvenir to promote theprofile of our organisation .I would be very greatful to you, if you could write an article about your experience in Enoka's work and Chatura's life after Tsunami.Please visit our web site(www.shareandcare.org.uk).Thank you very much for youe dedication and wonderful work you have done.Take care yourself.
with regards
sagara palliyage