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Local actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to bring essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, causing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, as citizens face what national leaders 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 so happy that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a state of emergency has been announced.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is flowing in from international partners and aid groups.

But it will be a lengthy process to recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its share of difficulties in recent years.

Community Organizers Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that churns out meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"People came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time 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 "continuation" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and managed the distribution of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got more than enough in response from the community," he says.

Online Initiatives for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where netizens have created a shared list to channel resources and volunteers.

Another community-run website helps donors find shelters and identify what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have organized donation drives, while local television channels have initiated an effort to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all political differences" and "unite to restore the nation".

Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, claiming that the government was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of togetherness as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"In the end, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after putting in long hours at aid centers.

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