Arc-En-Ciel Sri Lanka

Project Overview

Arcenciel Sri Lanka was designed and developed in 2005 by Isura Wickramarachchi as a dynamic ASP-based humanitarian website to support the post-tsunami rehabilitation activities carried out by Arcenciel Sri Lanka. Following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the website was created to communicate the organization's reconstruction projects, acknowledge donor contributions, and provide transparent progress reports on community development initiatives.

Unlike a simple informational website, the project functioned as an online project management and communication platform where administrators could continuously update housing projects, beneficiary information, photographs, and donor-supported activities. At a time when many relief organizations relied on static websites, this system enabled Arcenciel Sri Lanka to regularly share the progress of its rehabilitation programmes with supporters around the world.

The website focused particularly on housing reconstruction and support programmes for vulnerable families, reflecting the urgent priorities of Sri Lanka's post-tsunami recovery efforts. Housing reconstruction was one of the country's largest humanitarian challenges following the 2004 tsunami, with thousands of families requiring permanent homes and long-term community support.

Design & Structure

The website featured a distinctive humanitarian-themed interface that combined emotional visual storytelling with a clean and organized information structure.

One of its most memorable design elements was the large ocean wave illustration positioned in the header. Rather than serving as simple decoration, the wave symbolized both the devastating tsunami and the resilience of the communities rebuilding their lives. This visual immediately established the purpose of the website while creating a strong emotional connection with visitors.

The interface used a striking pink, white, and grey colour palette, making it stand out from the blue and green themes commonly found on charity websites of the period. Soft curves, flowing graphical elements, and carefully balanced layouts created a modern appearance while maintaining excellent readability.

The homepage was divided into two primary sections. The main content area introduced the organization's mission and tsunami recovery efforts, while a dedicated right-hand navigation panel highlighted the major humanitarian programmes, allowing visitors to quickly explore housing projects, single mother assistance programmes, donor information, and other relief initiatives.

Unique Design Features

• 100% custom-designed interface with no commercial templates.
• Symbolic wave-inspired header artwork representing the tsunami and the rebuilding process.
• Bold humanitarian branding using an uncommon pink and white colour scheme.
• Clean two-column layout designed for project-focused content.
• Dedicated project navigation emphasizing major rehabilitation programmes.
• Dynamic presentation of housing projects with photographs and progress updates.
• Administrator-managed donor and beneficiary information.
• Modern use of gradients, soft curves, and layered graphical elements.
• Consistent visual identity maintained across the entire website.

The combination of symbolic artwork and project-centred navigation gave the website a unique identity while reinforcing the organization's humanitarian mission.

Technical Highlights

• Dynamic Microsoft ASP website.
• Database-driven project management system.
• Administrator-managed housing project updates.
• Integrated photo management for construction progress and completed projects.
• Donor information management.
• Dynamic content publishing without requiring manual page editing.
• Optimized for the major web browsers available in 2005.
• Fast-loading architecture suitable for international donors and humanitarian organizations.

Significance

The Arcenciel Sri Lanka website represents one of Isura Wickramarachchi's humanitarian web development projects created during Sri Lanka's post-tsunami recovery period. More than a promotional website, it functioned as a transparent communication platform that allowed supporters, donors, and partner organizations to monitor reconstruction activities and understand how humanitarian assistance was being implemented.

The project demonstrates Isura Wickramarachchi's philosophy of designing purpose-driven, handcrafted websites that combine original visual identity with practical functionality. Through its symbolic wave-inspired design, dynamic project management system, and structured presentation of humanitarian initiatives, the website successfully communicated hope, accountability, and community rebuilding during one of the most significant recovery efforts in Sri Lanka's modern history. It remains an excellent example of early dynamic NGO website development, showing how web technology could strengthen transparency, donor engagement, and public awareness during large-scale humanitarian programmes.