Post Tsunami Recovery For Sustainable Human Development- Sri Lanka

This study which was conceived in the aftermath of the December 2004 Tsunami
examines the impact of a natural disaster of a magnitude which is unprecedented in Sri
Lanka’s recorded history. Given the fact that Sri Lanka has been a country which has
been relatively free from natural disasters , the shock to the economy and society as a
whole, resulting from the Tsunami was totally unexpected and exceptionally severe.

The disaster demanded a unique combination of policy responses that would deal
simultaneously with all its major consequences within a short period of time. These
included

• the human problems of a large population affected by the tsunami , -death and
bereavement, displacement and loss of shelter, lack of food and clothing , loss of
livelihood , disruption of heath care and education

• the economic losses in productive sectors and unanticipated costs which posed
new burdens on the budget and the economy as a whole.

• The lack of institutional capacity and structures of good governance in the
existing system to cope with and manage a process to which it was
unaccustomed.