There WAS violence and looting and killing and pillaging (my what short memories some folks have) and that is the reason the Sri Lankan's did not want aid workers distributing the food and supplies. The danger was too high and they were afraid the aid would be cut off so they offered to distribute it with their own troops or with an army escort only.
Back on topic:
It's good to see that help is indeed there in force now with more on the way. This will take years to striaghten out and countless lives will never be the same. Donate what you can when you can for the next year. Make a point to give a few bucks a month for 12 months.....even if it's $20 a month it will help.
I was very low in my earlier estimate.....this morning they said 1,500,000 plus are homeless from this (I thought it was 250,000). That's a LOT of folks needing homes and jobs. I'm opening up my home to a couple and giving free room and board until they get back on their feet. If you have a spare room in your house I ask you consider doing the same. There are numerous web sites up now to list your opening just check the major news sites (Fox, CNN, MSNBC, etc.) or do a google or Wikipedia search for them.