The Hindu : International : A grateful Galle

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 27, 2005

International

International

A grateful Galle

By V. S. Sambandan

GALLE, MARCH 26. Three months after its worst recorded natural disaster, a warm "thank you" note welcomes guests to a hotel in this southern corner of Sri Lanka. ``We remember those that came forward so spontaneously and gave generously to those in need. We also remember the Indian Navy doctors and their medical team that ran the OPD [out-patient department] at the hotel...The people of Galle and Sri Lanka are forever grateful.''

The note pasted at the entrance of the Closenberg Hotel, just next to the Galle Port, sums up the continued memory of the Indian relief workers who were the first to land in Sri Lanka after the December 26, 2004 tsunami. For many it would be a part of their living memories.

``I still remember a very serious case that was treated in our hotel,'' recalls Udith Samarasinghe, Front Office Manager of the Hotel. ``An old man was brought in. The doctors were very caring. They gave him saline here. He was here for a long time and was well cared for,'' he said.

``Nearby residents are very happy about the treatment they were given by the doctors,'' he said.

A few metres away, a school, the Sudharama Maha Vidyalaya, is today in a better shape than what it was when a visiting Indian Naval crew carried out the initial repairs.

At a relief camp on the outskirts of Galle, a volunteer points to a row of temporary toilets.

``They were constructed by Indian Army engineers. For the past three months, our people living in tents have benefited from various forms of Indian assistance.''

Elsewhere along the road, a temporary bridge links the district to the capital Colombo — one of the several lifelines in the island built by the engineers.

Among Sri Lankans from every walk of life, the Indian presence in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami continues to be remembered. ``They were the first to come and we cannot forget them,'' Mr. Samarasinghe said.

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