A WOMAN who has travelled to tsunami-devastated Sri Lanka is shocked and scandalised by the lack of progress being made to rebuild people's lives, despite millions being donated in aid.

Nine months on from the huge tidal wave which flattened everything in its path, 82-year-old Senga Brealey paid a visit to one of the worst-hit areas on the island, Galle.

There the waves hit with such ferocity that a train was lifted from its tracks by the water and everyone on board killed.

And while the carriages have been turned into a memorial museum she says very little has been done for the living, despite the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) getting £300m from the British public to help rebuild people's lives.

Mrs Brealey, who was posted on the tropical island during the Second World War, said: "I went down the east coast to Galle where it was terribly hit by the tsunami. It's very badly damaged and nowhere is there any sign of British money being used.

"Some wooden sheds have been put up, just one room with a door and one window, and the people have got no running water and no sanitation, they are living in terrible conditions.

"British people gave millions, everybody I know gave money, people who couldn't afford to give money gave money."

And while Mrs Brealey, who is from Wanstead, says there is little evidence of any aid money being used to rebuild people's lives, new hotels are sprouting up across the coast and a £100m yachting marina is currently under construction.

"There was a big meeting in Colombo with the British Red Cross," she added. "There are lots of meetings going on but the money isn't going to the people who've suffered in the disaster."

The Guardian contacted DEC to find out what progress was being made across Sri Lanka and was told that Christian Aid was working with a company experienced in quality house building', consulting local people about designing houses that people wanted to live in.

It is also involved in children's trauma groups and women's groups.

Save the Children is providing people with grants and equipment for food production, brick-making and fishing and providing new boats and looking after children who were orphaned by the war.

A spokeswoman for the group aid organisations, comprising charities like Oxfam, Actionaid and Help the Aged, said: "Our member agencies have been doing some wonderful reconstruction work in Sri Lanka."

sdixon@london.newsquest.co.uk