© 2010 Marielle van Uitert  All rights reserved.

Freedom to enjoy the sea has returned.

 

The massive tsunami waves of December 26, 2004 surged ashore and caused tremendous destruction and devastation for many countries, but for the people of Sri Lanka, the death and missing persons toll was the highest.  And the number of people who became homeless, orphaned or separated from their families was staggering.  The graves and memorial sites of today look out over the ocean as if to always remember the over 30,000 victims of this disaster.  And for the survivors, they pray and remember those who were taken from them.
   
 

© 2010 Marielle van Uitert   All Rights Reserved. Survivors in Galle documented the aftermath with photos.

© 2010 Marielle van Uitert   All Rights Reserved. Passengers on this railway were swept away by the giant wave of 2004 in Hikkaduwa.

The year 2010 still shows the ruins it left behind, but both homes and futures have been and continue to be rebuilt.  Most of all, it shows a people’s return of hope and their eternal dependency on the sea.  Fishermen still go out fishing.  They will never forget what happened on that day, but fish they must.  It is their life and their livelihood.

 

After the tsunami, the government decided not to build any houses near the coastline, but 6 years later tells a completely different story.  New hotels and businesses have been erected only a few meters from the coastline, only protected by a pile of sandbags or a handmade pile of stones.  And fortunately, the people themselves are no longer afraid to build their houses near the shore.

 

© 2010 Marielle van Uitert   All Rights Reserved. Good luck messages on walls are sent to those who have passed.   © 2010 Marielle van Uitert   All Rights Reserved. This is a portion of the memorial site at the ocean shore in Hikkaduwa.

 The rhythm of life is slowly coming back in the town of Baddegama, which is located inland on the southwest tip of Sri Lanka.  And a few miles down the road to the shore, I met the people of Hikkaduwa.  They are not afraid of the sea and do not think about the possibility of another tsunami.  It was the force of nature and according to the local population you should always respect the sea which provides food and income.  They live by taking each day as it comes and try to make ends meet.  Fishing nets have been repaired and cast and some are even building new boats.  Dreams for a fruitful future have returned as the ocean attracts thousands of fishermen and traders to the area.  And those with religious inclinations defy a turbulent sea in order to reach the temple to honor their beloved ones.  

But a few miles south in Galle where thousands lost their lives, they are more skeptical.  The old ruins that provide a shelter between the ocean and the town are praised and they are hopeful that they will protect them if another tsunami will appear.  The light of the future is seen through the children.  They are once again playing on the beach and practicing cricket, their number one sport.

 

As a freelance photographer, it was an experience I will never forget.  I had not imagined seeing so many graves along the coast.  The houses that were collapsed by the rushing waters have not been removed and only provide a small reference to what actually happened on that day.  When I entered some of these homes where their residents had once had a view of the sea, I could only think about the words of a local resident and hotel owner of Hikkaduwa--“I was standing on my porch directly at the beach when I saw a huge wave coming.  I was curious and stood there watching what was going on.  The first big wave entered my porch, but then all of a sudden it disappeared and the sea withdrew within a split second.  I got a bit scared and saw all the dogs and people run to the higher regions.  Then a big wave came back as I had worked my way up to the 3^rd floor and then all became quiet.  My first floor was only ruined, but 5 kilometers from here (in Galle) thousands got killed.  I am very lucky.  I was worried about my family, but after a while I heard that every single one was safe.  Each day I pray for this gift that was given me and will always remember”.

 

© 2010 Marielle van Uitert   All Rights Reserved.   This was once someone's home with a beautiful ocean view.

© 2010 Marielle van Uitert   All Rights Reserved.   This new house being built next to the devastated home shows a renewed faith in Mother Nature.

© 2010 Marielle van Uitert   All Rights Reserved. Graves near the shores remember the lost ones.

© 2010 Marielle van Uitert   All Rights Reserved. "Each day I pray for the gift that was given me...."

 

Their devastation was clear, their memories are vivid,
but their dreams and hopes for their future is evident.
 

 

 
© 2010 Marielle van Uitert  All rights reserved.

These fishermen need to get the nets repaired before they head out to sea again.