The Dec. 26 tsunami that killed more than 150,000 people in Asia has thrown up reconstruction challenges in terms of finances, logistics and infrastructure needs, apart from the immediate needs for relief to counter disease outbreaks and privide food and shelter to homeless millions.
"We have estimated it would cost between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion to rebuild and repair damages to railways, ports, industries, fishing harbors, tourists resorts, housing and wildlife sanctuaries," says Dr P.B. Jayasunderan, the additional secretary in Sri Lanka's ministry of finance in Colombo.