In pictures: Sri Lanka's week of hell

1 of 12 Huge waves smashed into Sri Lanka with no warning after the worst earthquake for 40 years rocked the Indian Ocean.

2 of 12 Tsunami waves wrapped themselves around the island nation, dragging people out to sea and pulverising boats and homes. (Photo: Digital Globe)

3 of 12 Those left alive could do nothing to stem the tide that engulfed coastal communities.

4 of 12 As the waters receded, the sheer power of the sea became clear.

5 of 12 The anger of the sea did not distinguish between locals and tourists.

6 of 12 A day later, the full scale of the devastation began to emerge.

7 of 12 What was already known was the depth of grief, with survivors having to bury the rest of their families.

8 of 12 Each new day brought new horrors, including the wreckage of a train hurled off its tracks killing more than 800 passengers.

9 of 12 But the passage of time also brought the first help for people who had not eaten or drunk for days.

10 of 12 Salvaged photos were all that was left for this man who lost 35 relatives, including his wife - a day before she was set to give birth.

11 of 12 All week long, mass graves were dug for the thousands of dead and funerals continued throughout Friday's national day of mourning.

12 of 12 And everywhere are reminders of the time when the sea turned savage.