One-Third of Sri Lanka at Landslide Risk, Senior Geologist Reveals

 Dr. Wasantha Senadheera, a Senior Geologist at the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), stated that further landslides could occur in identified high-risk areas across 14 districts island-wide. He pointed out that Kegalle, Ratnapura, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Matale districts, characterized by mountainous terrain, are particularly prominent among these.

Additionally, there is a potential for landslides in certain locations within Monaragala, Kurunegala, Gampaha, Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, and Hambantota districts. Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo yesterday (12), the Senior Geologist mentioned that approximately 30 percent of Sri Lanka's total land area, spanning about 20,000 square kilometers, is at risk of landslides.

Mr. Senadheera also revealed that 34 percent of the country's total population resides within these high-risk zones.

However, based on information received by the National Building Research Organisation, dangerous situations have been identified in advance, and steps have already been taken to evacuate over 15,000 individuals residing in those areas.

Dr. Wasantha Senadheera further urged the public to be more vigilant, as most of the fatalities in previous disaster situations were caused by collapsing earth embankments.