FALLBROOK —— The day after Christmas, Fallbrook wildlife artist Gamini Ratnavira watched the images on his television of the wild ocean waters that were sweeping over Sri Lanka, the country where he was born and raised.

His cousin, family members and many friends were going about their daily lives Dec. 26 when the deadly tsunami washed over the country.

"It was unreal to be here in this country watching the devastation," Ratnavira said. "My first reaction was to find out if everyone was all right and then go to work on providing assistance."

An e-mail from Ratnavira's cousin, Aloy Diaz, confirmed that he was one of the lucky ones. He had been taking a tour group on a hike near where he worked at the Yala Safari Game Lodge and missed the ocean's wrath. Diaz's friends weren't so lucky. Most of the hotel personnel were killed, along with their families and friends. Ratnavira's wife said that piece of news brought the event even closer to home.

"Gamini's family home is located near the lodge, and we were scheduled to be there over the holidays," said the artist's wife, Lisa Ratnavira. "My children could have been victims or orphans if we had decided to go. That brings the catastrophe here to Fallbrook."

Gamini, who has designed several stamps for the country of Sri Lanka, has put two of his paintings —— "Queen of the Night" and "Giants and Jesters" —— up for auction to raise money for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka. He and his wife also have opened up their Fallbrook gallery to people who wish to contribute money or clothing to help out, as well.

Lisa, who has taught in Fallbrook schools, is working with students at Sage Meadows and Live Oak elementary schools to write cards to the thousands of children who have been orphaned.

"When a child receives a letter from someone in another part of the world wishing them well, that's very special," said Lisa. "It's important for them to understand that we all want to help."

The couple is working with a Buddhist temple in Pasadena that has already raised $48,000 and sent four large containers of food and clothing to Sri Lanka. He said the temple passes on 100 percent of any donations to the victims of the tsunami.

"Many people get frustrated because their donation often goes to administration and other expenditures," Gamini said. "This way it goes to the people who are helping out. For only $300, a new shelter can be built for a family. We already have 15 people who have donated to build these new homes."

The couple is also working with Gamini's father to provide food and clothing to an orphanage the Fallbrook artist knows very well, having donated to it as a child growing up in Sri Lanka.

"It's almost impossible to even think about the devastation and the lives lost," Gamini said. "And it's impossible to think about the grief."

For more information, call (760) 723-7256.