In pictures: Tsunami rehabilitation

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New community

Nearly a year after the tsunami hit southern Sri Lanka, a new community has emerged out of the ruins in Palana village on the Indian Ocean coast. With the help of the Belgian government, the Solideal Southern Coast Rehabilitation Trust, a local NGO, is building 50 two-storey houses - 20 of which are already complete.

Many families have already begun moving into the houses, while others are waiting to be handed possession in a few weeks.

Pictures and text: Sanjoy Majumder

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Swept away

On 26 December 2005, the village of Palana south was swept away by the tsunami. More than 300 people lived in this settlement - 75 of them were killed. The survivors were put up in transit camps set up across the road.

Most of the people living here work as farmhands, while others are employed in the fishing industry. Almost every family lost somebody in the tsunami. Now, nearly a year later, they are trying to rebuild their lives.

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The Dilimanis

Titus Dilimani (left) and his family are among the lucky ones who have moved into a new home. His wife Chalasih, and two sons Mahesh, 33, and Ravindran, 31 - live with him along with Mahesh's wife and children.

When the tsunami struck last December, Ravindran (right) lost his 24 year-old wife. A year later, the family have been handed possession of a brand new home. Were hoping to make a fresh start, says Titus.

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Settling in

It's just been a few days since the Dilamanis have moved in. Each house has a floor area of 600 sq feet. The ground floor has a living room, kitchen and a small room, which the Dilimanis use as a storeroom. There are two bedrooms upstairs, which is occupied by two young couples. My wife and I sleep downstairs, says Titus. "It's very comfortable.

The house is sparsely furnished but the Dilimanis have clearly tried to make their new home appear inviting and cheerful.

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No longer refugees

Chalasih, 54, has already begun work on a new garden. "I had a nice garden in our earlier home - we used to grow many vegetables," she says. "I am hoping to recreate that here, even though there is a lot less space. But Ill make do.

"I am happy to leave the transit camp. Life was hard there. It was very cramped and there was no privacy. At least here we have a sense that were a family once again and not refugees.

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Living by the sea

The new permanent settlement has been built exactly where the old one was but with one key difference. It now maintains a 100 metre buffer with the sea, under Sri Lankas new laws.

But the memories of last December continue to haunt the Dilimanis. "We are afraid," says Titus, "but what can we do? Wed liked to have moved away but theres no other place to go. Land is at such a premium here that we had to stay put."

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Water shortage

Despite the careful planning and the well-built houses, there are still some problems. There is no running water and the Dilimanis, like their neighbours, have to wait for a water-tanker to bring water which is stored on the roof, in special tanks.

"It is not an ideal situation. We have to wake up really early to fill our tank," says Chalasih. And sometimes its not enough and we run out. Since there are so many of us living here, we tend to use a lot of water.

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Future plans

Once complete, this settlement will be a big improvement over the previous one, say the residents. The plans include building a pre-school and a health clinic. There is even a plan to build a recreation hall with a library. Built along the key coastal highway, many think the future of Palana is very bright.

"I'd say we are the lucky ones," says Titus. "There are many people still homeless and living in transit camps. But we now have a roof over our heads. We thank the Lord everyday."