In pictures:Tales from the floods

When floods and landslides assailed the Kalutara district, the Armoured Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army sent out its tanks to deliver relief to affected families and to fish others out of marooned villages. Work was heavy during the first days.

The worst damage was experienced between May 25 and 26. But as waters receded and roads became more accessible, the tanks spent more and more time parked on standby. Some were stationed on a plot of land owned by the historic Kekulandara Raja Maha Vihara in Agalawatta.

The temple has a school for novice monks. Every afternoon, when they were done with their studies, they made a beeline to the park where the tanks—BTR armoured personnel carriers—were stationed. They clambered atop the vehicles, all of them, chatting with soldiers and whiling away the hours till at least 6pm, when their superiors expected them back in their quarters.

Twice, they ganged up on the Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the tanks and badgered him till he agreed to let them go on short rides through the streets of Agalawatta. Off they went, looking self-important and chuffed to have the eyes of motorists and bystanders on them.

It was a striking sight to behold; little splashes of bright orange on imposing white armoured tanks surrounded by uniformed soldiers keeping a tight grip so they don’t roll off.