While on the east coast of Sri Lanka, I saw some of the effects of the tsunami. The devastation was overwhelming and the recovery slow, and I felt mixed feelings about making these sorts of visits. As the media moves on to more current tragedies and scintillations, however, it is important to remember that this recovery effort will take years and sustained international attention. While these photos are all of the areas directly affected by the tsunami, it is difficult to talk about the north and east of Sri Lanka without mentioning the fact that while the tsunami affected areas are receiving much attention and aid, there are other areas (and sometimes overlapping areas) in as much need after suffering through decades of conflict.