St. Paul Pioneer Press | 02/05/2006 | 'This is the Taj Mahal'

St. Paul Pioneer Press | 02/05/2006 | 'This is the Taj Mahal': "'This is the Taj Mahal'BY BRIAN BONNERPioneer PressIt totals just 600 square feet, but a new home built by Minnesotans is more than enough for a Sri Lankan family of five devastated by 2004's tsunami.MONROVIA ESTATE, Sri Lanka � The tsunami happened 13 months ago. Recovery for Anil and Kamani started 12 days ago. � That's when the Sri Lankan couple and their three sons moved into a new home, courtesy of a half-million-dollar relief project by Minnesotans. � The house is modest by many standards, but a palace to them. � The dwelling, with four rooms and 600 square feet, replaces the shack where they had been 'living like animals' and battling snakes, mice and mosquitoes, Kamani said. � It is also double the size of their old seaside home, which was ruined by the tsunami that also swept away their most valuable possessions. � With the burden of homelessness lifted, they can start to live again. � 'Getting out of that shack is the most important thing,' Anil said. 'Look at this place. We went from two rooms to four rooms. This is the Taj Mahal.' � 'It is absurd to look back,' his wife said. 'A person has to look forward.' � More tsunami victims in Sri Lanka wish they could do the same."