Tsunami Diary: I am definitely becoming accustomed to this new environment - I woke this morning to the sound of monkeys fighting outside my window and thought this was perfectly normal.
We had a lizard the size of a crocodile climbing up a tree close by yesterday. I am pleased to report that I don't seem to have the same paralysing fear of reptiles as I do of bugs.
I worked with a small group of volunteers today, recording the stories of the 35 families that have been collected for rehousing. We arrived as the people were collecting their food rations, which generally consist of rice, milk, beans and flour.
They get 175 rupees worth of provisions and a further 200 rupees per tent per week, 100 rupees is about 75 cent.
All of the relief camps have been receiving this government contribution since January; but there is no commitment to maintain this support while families get back on their feet.
One man told us how he lost his wife and two children aged 2½ and 1½ in the tsunami. The front of his house is destroyed but he is not on the list of fortunate people receiving new homes because the new site for these houses is much too far away.
As he is a fisherman, he must live near the sea, but because his house is within the 100m (330ft) perimeter it will be knocked down rather than rebuilt and repaired.
The WG Jayarathna family, who were lucky enough to escape any fatalities in the tsunami, stood to pose for a picture on the foundations of their old house . . . that is all that remains.
The interpreter explained that the eldest daughter, who has just finished school, hopes to study dancing.
Last night a group of us dined in one of the damaged houses on the Dadalla site. A large wooden table stood in a damp room at the back of the house. We were invited to sit while the women carried in plates of food.
Sri Lankans usually eat with their fingers, but they provided us with spoons. They also placed a large unopened bottle of water on the table to indicate that it was not tap water we would be drinking.
The music, dancing and singing that followed was not unlike an Irish family get together.
After dinner, a letter, written by a young girl from the relief camp, was read aloud.
Tears welled up in my eyes as the girl described how her "elder brother is preparing for advanced level exams in April . . . he does not study now, just looking with empty feeling".
The ability of the people of Sri Lanka to bounce back from the events of December 26th is unbelievable.
The majority appear upbeat and hopeful despite their devastating situation.
The letter ended: "My father told us with all the pains that although we have lost everything, we have not fallen, we will stand again."