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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to deliver essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, cut off by the country's worst natural catastrophe in recent years.

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, causing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in volunteerism, as people face what the president has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation for getting involved, is to at least help them to have one meal," Mr Reginold states. "And I was deeply gratified that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a national emergency has been declared.

The military has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from international partners and aid groups.

But it will be a long journey to recovery for the nation, which has seen its share of difficulties in recent years.

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some rotated shifts and some even took leave to be there," one organizer explains.

"We reactivated the group as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also views the kitchen as an "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

"Every request we made, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he notes.

Online Campaigns for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where social media users have created a public database to channel resources and volunteers.

Another community-run website helps donors find relief camps and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have launched fundraising efforts, while local television channels have started an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the management of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

Critics have claimed authorities of disregarding forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's impact.

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, claiming that the ruling party was trying to limit debate on the disaster.

On the ground, however, there remains a feeling of togetherness as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

"Disasters are not new to us. But, the compassion and capacity of our hearts is greater than the destruction that occurs during a disaster."