"Lengthy debate at every juncture is as certain in Sri Lanka as rice is at every meal,"

The deadly tsunami sparked by a massive Dec. 26 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra killed nearly 300,000 people and displaced countless more along Indian Ocean shores far removed from the quake's epicenter. Relief efforts have focused on the human tragedy -- but now, scientists are starting to examine the ecological consequences, and the role of natural systems in mitigating damage. In a two-part series of reports for the NPR/National Geographic co-production Radio Expeditions, Elizabeth Arnold journeys to the island nation of Sri Lanka with one of the first teams to assess the environmental aftermath: NPR Morning Edition

"I am planning to launch a scholarship program for helping the school children affected by the tsunami,"

Thillairajah Kukendran, a chartered engineer now domiciled in Canada has come forward to help the people affected by the tsunami waves. During his stay in Sri Lanka, Kukendran has distributed cash donations and other assistance amounting to Rupees one million for the tsunami victims in the South. He plans to launch a long-term project to help the tsunami victims. "I am planning to launch a scholarship program for helping the school children affected by the tsunami," said Kukendran: Daily News

"he keeps repeating three words...,"

International tsunami relief efforts have helped supply the material needs of residents of Sri Lanka's east coast. Two American men, in the region to help, say the biggest problems they are finding among Sri Lankans are psychological: NPR Morning Edition

"It is positive that there has been no counter-retaliation."

"It is of course a setback for the ceasefire," Solheim said after the meeting. "It is positive that there has been no counter-retaliation."

"when people are working together on specific projects a lot of differences can be resolved,"

"It is my experience whether it is in the Middle East or Northern Ireland, when people are working together on specific projects a lot of differences can be resolved," - President Clinton, in Sri Lanka

"People are going to get angry...how long can we live like this",

NPR's Philip Reeves reports that Sri Lankans are still coping with frustrations and inconveniences after a deadly tsunami struck in Southeast Asia nearly two months ago: NPR Weekend Edition