Tsunami affected protests government's inefficiency

"They are working to help the people. They have shed the differences in order to help the distressed." Said Wasantha Chandrapala, a journalist who visited the camp.

There are over two thousand families living in the camp at Tirukkovil.

"The STF are doing the administration of the camp and distribution of relief aid and food. And the LTTE cadres help out with the personal hygiene of young women and children."

"People are fed up of living in tents, and are longing to find permanent accommodation and get back to their lives" Wasantha Chandrapala reported to BBC Sandeshaya.

Refugees protest

Meanwhile there were angry protests at Vijithapura refugee camp. More than two hundred families from the camp, blocked the roads and demanded for relief aid in order to prevent them from starvation.

"We are yet to receive the promised food ration coupons." Said HAP Premaratne, a refugee from the Vijithapura camp.

In another camp visited by journalist Daya Lankapura in Periyakulam, the refugees claimed that they had only received rice from the government.

"The Navy had given them vegetables at times but the people do not have any spices to cook the vegetables with. Another organisation had distributed kerosene hobs to everyone, but no one had thought of giving them kerosene," Daya Lankapura said.

Receipts for coffins

Another problem the people are facing is getting compensation for the dead.

"The government had stated the families of the victims would get fifteen thousand rupees for a deceased family member, but the government officials are asking these people to provide receipts for the coffins and the receipts for the clothes used to dress the corpses." Reported Daya Lankapura.

Periyakulam camp is situated at the local school.

"It needs to be vacated before the 31st of January so that the school can restart, but they have nowhere to go. People say they want to get back on their feet. They need fishing equipment and boats. But, there are no plans to initiate that," Says Lankapura who visited the camps in Pariyakulam and Addampoddei.