SRILANKA, Dec. 4 -- Sri Lanka's worst natural disaster in the form of Cyclone 'Ditwah' plunged the country into chaos this week, with a death toll in excess of 450 persons, while displacing nearly half a million people as the Government directed all resources towards providing relief and minimising the impact of the disaster.

The cyclone wreaked havoc beginning last Thursday, its major impact lasting over the next few days. It brought the country to a virtual standstill with all twenty-five districts being affected, most of them affected by severe flooding and landslides, with its sudden and severe nature hampering rescue work.

Many observers are of the view that this was Sri Lanka's worst natural disaster in terms of overall impact. Th...