The December 26th tsunami that hit coastal areas of Sri Lanka in 2004, killed 30,527 people, displaced 773,636 and injured a further 15,686.Those displaced due to the tsunami of 26th December lost their livelihood, natural source of food and their long-established coping mechanisms – all of which could negatively influence the nutritional status of the population, in particular, the most vulnerable groups such aschildren and expectant and nursing mothers. This study sets out the nutritional information on the displaced population residing in the camps, and the findings of an assessment of the nutritional status of children and women. These indicators are useful to identify the needs, to prioritize resources and prevent the deterioration of the nutritional status of the population. The objective of the study is to: 1) measure the nutritional status and determinants of the children under five, lactating mothers and pregnant women affected bythe tsunami, 2) collect baseline information to monitor nutrition interventions and food aid and 3) assess the extent of mortality caused by the tsunami. The authors of the study recommended that a one-day vitamin A mega dose supplementation campaign for children aged 6 months to 5 years be launched in tsunami-affected areas, that supplementary food be supplied for all children under five years and to pregnant and lactating women in the areas for a minimum of one year, that nutrition surveillance systems be established in affected areas, and that social services departments and camp managers be advised to provide nutritionally complete food rations for children.