Superstorm Sandy shatters Sri Lankans also

Superstorm Sandy, which left a trail of death and destruction in the east coast of the United States, did not spare Sri Lankans either. Devastation, yes. Deaths, no.

The worst affected was the New York city borough of Staten Island which has one of the highest concentrations of Sri Lankans per square kilometre, including four restaurants serving hoppers, pittu, patties, pol rotis and string hoppers.

One family in Staten Island lost their house and two cars in a neighbourhood which was hip deep in flood waters caused by the storm with over $50 billion in estimated damages throughout the east coast.

The family found refuge with another Sri Lankan family unaffected by the storm. Meanwhile, a Sri Lankan physician in Toms River in the state of New Jersey lost not only all his cars but also his house which was described as a total wreck.

Sri Lanka's UN Mission led by Ambassador Major General Shavendra Silva, was quick to respond -- seeking out those in desperate need of food, clothing and shelter. Silva personally vis- ited water-logged Staten Island to check the status of Sri Lankans living there.

But the superstorm did not spare the war hero either. The high rise building in which he has an apartment lost both power and heat for nearly a week forcing him to seek refuge at the residence of Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative Ambassador Palitha Kohona (who remained high and dry) in an apartment within spitting distance (considering the UN's human rights charges against Sri Lanka) of the world body.

Kohona did not lose power or heat -- even though the UN headquarters itself was icy cold as delegates were forced to attend meetings wrapped up in heavy overcoats, scarves and woolen caps.

Still, one Sri Lanka expat was tempted to say that, in the context of the political environment back home, it is good for our diplomats and politicians to occasionally lose power, because as Lord Acton once famously remarked: "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."