The tsunami onslaught is over, and the seas around Sri Lanka are as placid as they can be.
But behind the surface calm are nagging uncertainties, deep apprehensions and acute tensions. Life in the 'paradise isle' will never be the same again.
The problem of burying the 30,000 dead and clearing the debris, pales into relative insignificance when seen in the light of what awaits the country in the weeks, months and years to come.
Looming large on the horizon are a variety of new economic, political and socio-cultural problems, which have to be addressed simultaneously, if the country is to be put on the high road to peace, development and equity.
Economy post-tsunami
According to the country's Central Bank, the tsunami had wrecked the economy to the tune of $ 1.5 billion.
The good news is that a lot of aid has been pledged by shocked donors abroad.
But the bad news is that all the pledged money may not actually materialise.
The record of the United Nations in the regard is not very encouraging as Thaleef Deen points out in his column from the UN in The Sunday Times.
Deen says that following the earthquake in Iran 12 months ago, $32 million was pledged, but only $17 million actually reached Iran.