Sri Lankan Handhruwan Weerasinghe was one of about 400 Sri Lankans working in Bermuda who until late Christmas day had no idea if his family was still alive or not.

?I turned on the TV and saw on BBC that Galle, where my family live was no more. The whole town was gone!? he said.Mr. Weerasinghe said he got on the telephone and made several calls, but couldn?t reach anyone.

?I was so scared. I didn?t know what to do.?

Eventually his brother-in-law called and said his wife and two children had managed to escape. ?My wife took my son and daughter and ran when the water came,? he said.

Even though he found out his house had been completely destroyed, he was very happy to learn that his family was alive.

He said his brother-in-law said a wall of water some seven feet high had washed through the town of Galle and his house was completely destroyed by the tsunami.

?I couldn?t believe it. I just couldn?t believe it was all gone,? he said.

He has an 11-year-old boy and 14-year-old daughter who are now staying with his brother-in-law.

?But I don?t know what to do now,? he said.

Mr. Weerasinghe said he couldn?t afford to go home until March or April next year, adding that he was worried sick about his family.

?There is no house, my family has nothing ? no clothes, nothing. I don?t know what they will do now without me,? he said.

Mr. Weerasinghe has been working at La Trattoria in Hamilton for about a year.

In the wake of the devastating quake and tsunami in Sri Lanka, which has left more than 12,000 people dead, two Sri Lankans living in Bermuda have set up a fund to help those left homeless.

Mohamed Rafique and George Michael (not the singer) set up the fund called ?Bermuda help Sri Lanka? yesterday afternoon.

More information about the fund can be found on their website: www.bdahelpsrilanka.org, but they say they might need more time to get the ball rolling.

?We?ll be grateful for any donations, no matter how big or small,? Mr. Rafique said.

Mr. Rafique said the money would be used to help the millions left homeless in Sri Lanka.

Anyone who can help is asked to call Mr. Rafique at 236-2915.

An appeal has also come in from the Bermuda Red Cross.

Director Ann Spencer-Arscott said they were desperate for monetary donations.

?We would love to send tents, blankets and food, but we just can?t afford to get it there, so any monetary donation will be appreciated,? she said.

However, if you want your donation to go to a specific country, Mrs. Spencer-Arscott suggested it be brought to their offices on Berry Hill Road as opposed to mailing it.

Any other donations can be sent to the Bermuda Red Cross, Asian Quake Appeal, Charleswood, 9 Berry Hill Road, Paget, DV 03.