Sri Lanka repair works could take months to complete

THE clean-up operation on the stricken island of Sri Lanka could take months, aid agencies said yesterday.

At least 79,000 houses have been completely wiped out across the island and a further 20,000 partially destroyed. Whole villages and communities have been demolished, leaving a devastating wreckage of buildings, telephone wires and people’s personal possessions.

The village of Dutchbar, near Batticaloa on the east coast, was razed, with houses and schools flattened. Mangled bicycles, dented pots, remnants of Christmas trees and torn clothing lay strewn about.