The President of the Radio Society of Sri Lanka, Victor Goonetilleke (4S7VK), believes that "uncomplicated shortwave" radio helped save lives.

"Ham radio played an important part and will continue to do so," he said.

Until 28 December the Radio Society of Sri Lanka operated a shortwave radio link between Hambantota and the Prime Minister's disaster management office, and government offices in the stricken area. "We closed the link after the police got a communications link up in Hambantota," Victor said. "We went in because the District Secretary's office only had a satellite phone and communications were difficult." The Hambantota station was operated by Asantha Illesinghe (4S7AK), Dimuthu Wickremesinghe (4S7DZ) and Kusal Epa (4S7KE).

There was one major problem: batteries were running out, and there were no generators to recharge them.

Radio amateurs used to be the only line of communication to disaster-struck areas. However, the Sri Lankan amateur radio community is not getting enough new members to keep it going, partly because getting a license is difficult, requiring defence clearances, an examination and licensing.

Nevertheless, Victor feels that the presence of radio amateurs inside the Prime Minister's official residence shows how the authorities in Sri Lanka value the services of the amateur radio community.