I work for an importing company and one of our main suppliers is located in Sri Lanka. Over time our business relationships have evolved in to friendships in general.
I tried to call as soon as I heard about the tsunami disaster, but understandably the circuits were busy. I emailed, got a reply back, and they just called about half an hour ago.
My friends and their coworkers are all okay and took the day off work to collect water, medicine, food, etc...and deliver to the people living along the coast.
The scene sounds like hell, literally. It's about 85 degrees and about 90% humidity. Human corpses are intermingled with dead animals and fish and the stench is already overwhelming.
They fear there is going to be a rising death toll due to disease (cholera, typhopid, dysentary, etc...) that stems from unsanitary conditions.
If you can, please donate to the International Committee of the Red Cross. I tried to post a link directly to the donation area, but the server has been overwhelmed. Instead, I have posted the general ICRC website link, and on it there is a link to the donation area.
Thank you.
http://www.icrc.org/eng