It has been about 7 years since the tsunami devastated the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. Many people lost their homes, family members, and everything else they had. Several people have been able to build their businesses back up, with bright visions of the future. Others haven’t been so lucky. Overall, progress has been made, life has returned back to ‘normal’ (at least it seems).

A few days ago, the government came by to enforce a new 10 meter line for the beach. Any building/wall/structure 10 meters from the edge of the beach was destroyed. There were about 100 police officers here on hand in case anything erupted in violence. Those businesses that were able to re-build themselves were now being destroyed by the powers that be. A few locals expressed concerns and flashbacks to what the coastline looked like right after the tsunami hit. Buildings diminished to rubble. Walls destroyed. Tractors moving rubble.

There is controversy of this new law of course. Business owners fear the loss of their land entirely, and many people are saying that big hotels will be built for luxury tourism here in Arugam Bay.

Through all of the destruction of the structures that lined the beach, I saw something interesting. Maybe it was just a combination of thoughts and an action that played itself out at the perfect time. Whatever it was, it gave me hope. At least some hope.

There were plenty of locals enjoying themselves in the water; playing in the waves, swimming, and just having fun. As I looked over to watch another wall get smashed down by the tractor I noticed a group of Sri Lanka guys creating a human pyramid in the water.

About 10 guys got together in the water and were building a human pyramid. I looked on as the first level secured their footing. Then the second. Then the third. It looked promising. They were building something. Working together. Unfortunately their structure (made up of themselves) ended up toppling. It was an effort nonetheless. Behind them, another structure was being destroyed by the ‘powers that be’.

It all made me realize how easy it is to break things, and how hard it is to build things. Hopefully someday we will all be focused on building things that represent our desires as a whole. Building things as a collective group of people focused on the progress for all, rather than progress of a few.

If only our cities could be pyramids built of people.

Here is a site focused on people changing policy – http://www.avaaz.org/en