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TSUNAMi: In Hell
AMIDST scenes of horror and devastation, a Peterborough couple are battling to help victims of the earthquake disaster in Sri Lanka.
AMIDST scenes of horror and devastation, a Peterborough couple are battling to help victims of the earthquake disaster in Sri Lanka.What started as an idyllic holiday turned into taking part in a life-or-death rescue mission for Jem and Bernice Bandaranaike after at least 19,000 people died as the sunshine island was hit by massive waves from the disastrous tsunami.
The couple escaped injury because they were staying inland in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, but they are still desperately trying to find out what has become of family members who live on the island's coast.
More than a million people on the island have been left homeless amid scenes of devastation on a scale never seen before in living memory.
Eyewitnesses have told of survivors wandering streets strewn with bloated corpses and debris in a desperate search for missing loved ones.
Retired solicitor Jem (75) and his wife Bernice (67), of Milton Gate, South Bretton, Peterborough, are among those helping the Red Cross to distribute bedding, medicine, and supplies of food and drinking water to survivors whose homes have been lost under the wreckage and mud.
Jem's son, Chris (45), who also lives in Bretton, spent most of Boxing Day frantically trying to contact his parents, but was unable to get through.
Eventually, he received a text message saying they were all right, and the next day he managed to speak to them briefly.
He said: "I received a call early in the morning from a relative asking me if I'd heard what had happened, and it was panic stations from that time on.
"The worst thing was not knowing if they were OK, and not being able to get any information.
"They told me that they had felt the shockwaves from the earthquake. They said they felt very frightened and helpless.
"They can't tell the full extent of the damage yet, but it is has been very badly hit.
"Many buildings have been wiped out, and entire hotels have been washed away.
"I have just spoken to relatives, who tell me there is a desperate need for drugs, and the family have trying to raise money for the aid efforts.
"It's likely that diseases such as typhoid and cholera will start to spread because there is no clean water.
"The devastation was so great and unexpected that the country simply does not have the resources to cope."
Chris was hoping to speak to his parents today, but making calls to and from Sri Lanka can be difficult.
• A joint disaster appeal line has been launched by all the major charities in the region. Donations can be made on 0870 60 60 900.
Family member is Sri Lankan President
Jem and Bernice Bandaranaike were born in Sri Lanka, but have lived in the UK for many years.
Before his retirement, Jem was a senior partner in city law firm Greenwoods.
Bernice, a former Peterborough magistrate, was managing director of Posh Travel, based in Westgate, Peterborough, for many years.
Jem's cousin is the Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who has declared a state of emergency in the country.
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Weather for Peterborough
Friday 10 February 2012
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Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
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Wind direction: South east
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