December 21, 2007 - Galle in the southwest of Sri Lanka is one of the most interesting Southern towns. Three years after the tsunami it now shows no sign of the devastation of the tsunami. Its natural harbor brought it into prominence. Tales from travelers, whose sailing vessels drifted into this natural harbor after storms, gave it a place in history and records show that it was in use two millenniums ago. The first small Fort was built by the Portuguese after their arrival in 1505 and in 1640 the Dutch rebuilt the fort and the fortifications as it stands today. Galle still remains a traveler’s destination –a launching pad for tourists traveling to other Southern towns, game parks, and bird sanctuaries.
A statue was erected at the entrance to the city’s bus station in memory of the tsunami victims. Mr. Ballagalla, Officer in Charge of the Galle Police, which is closely located near the bus station, said, “the rehabilitation work had restored the devastating damage caused by the Tsunami especially to the Galle town.” He had seen an easing of the traffic congestion, making life easier for school children as well as daily commuters to travel.
Galle Mayor
The mayor of Galle, W. Kalum Senevirathna, places a great value on this road project and considers it as an essential step in rebuilding. “I think road network developed with this project is not limited to the Galle city but extends beyond the city. This is a mark of progress and an essential requirement for the country,” he said.
Disasters and triumphs have added to the character of this ancient port city mixing the old and the new, the present and the past strengthening its ability to retain that age old charm.
Photos by Chulie De Silva, External Affairs Officer, Small Grants Program Coordinator of the World Bank, Sri Lanka.
Additional Resources
- Rebuilding Sri Lanka's Southern Coastal Road
Rehabilitating the tsunami damaged A2 coastal road from Kalutara to Matara. (Read More »)
- Tsunami Recovery: Three Years Later
The Tsunami Emergency Reconstruction Program I (TERP I) ended on March 31, 2007. (Read More »)
- One Man's Journey Since December 2004
Despite losing 4 family members, Mohammed Nazeer kept his sense of humaor and thinks of a bright future. (Slide Show »)
- Business Recovery in Sri Lanka
A Livelihood Rebuilt by a Passion for Education: A Sri Lankan Couple Get Back to Business in a Week. (Read More »)
- Blog - End Poverty in South Asia
Shanta Devarajan, World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia, shares insights about the fight against poverty in the region. (Read More »)
- South Asia: Development Data
A wide range of social and economic measures on South Asia, including links to the World Bank's most important online development databases. (Read More »)
- South Asia: Analysis and Research
Compilation of all the World Bank's publications on South Asia, with 'search' options and links to analysis and research on other South Asian countries. (Read More »)
- World Bank Program in South Asia
Launching pad to all information on World Bank activities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.(Read More »)
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