Sri Lanka woke up last Saturday (22) to yet another tragedy, this time in Pahala Kadugannawa, when a landslide claimed several lives and left more injured.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and other sources, 10 individuals were trapped under the rubble after the slope above a roadside shop gave way. The landslide crushed not only the small establishment but also several nearby vehicles, turning an ordinary day into a devastating reminder of the island’s vulnerability to natural disasters. The relevant authorities have since issued warnings that ongoing heavy rains continue to elevate the risk of landslides, rockfalls, and earth slips, particularly in the Kadugannawa region. The public has been advised to use alternate routes and remain cautious. However, while such warnings are necessary, they are hardly new and are not enough.
This incident is one of the most significant disasters in recent times. However, it is not an isolated one. Dozens of homes and small businesses along the Colombo-Kandy Road, especially near Kandy, cling precariously to slopes that are visibly unstable. Many of these structures have been built without proper planning, often going against environmental and engineering guidelines. Every monsoon season, the country revisits the same cycle, i.e. heavy rains, unstable earth and preventable tragedies.
The problem extends beyond Kadugannawa. Over the past two years (2023 and 2024), areas such as Gampaha, Matara, Galle and Ratnapura have repeatedly experienced floods, landslides and related disasters. Several deaths were recorded, and many families displaced.
According to some, Sri Lanka’s pattern of disaster response has become tragically predictable – react after the damage is done, mourn the losses, clean up the debris and wait to repeat the process. It is time to break this cycle with decisive, systematic action.
What Sri Lanka needs now is a comprehensive nationwide audit of landslide-prone and flood-prone areas. This cannot be a superficial study or a list compiled after each disaster. It must be a scientific, up-to-date assessment that maps risk zones, identifies vulnerable settlements, and also guides future development. Many such assessments exist in pieces, but what is missing is a unified national plan that integrates them into policy and enforcement.
At the same time, people living in high-risk areas should be offered effective and easy assistance to relocate. This assistance must go beyond temporary shelters. It should include land, financial support and logistical help to rebuild their lives safely. For those who refuse to move despite clearly dangerous situations, imposing fines is a tough but necessary measure. When individual choices endanger families, neighbours and emergency responders, the State has a responsibility to take action. When it comes to illegal constructions, the policy must remain firm – those constructions must be removed. However, removals must be supported with humane solutions. Offering secondary relocation sites and easy-pay loans for rebuilding ensures that safety is prioritised without causing undue hardships.
Sri Lanka also needs to strengthen its response systems. Every time a disaster strikes, the armed forces and emergency teams rush to the scene. However, their efforts are hampered by inadequate equipment, outdated tools and limited training. Rescuers sometimes work with bare hands or improvised tools in unpredictable and dangerous conditions. Sri Lanka must invest in modern search-and-rescue technology, early-warning systems and specialised training for emergency personnel. It should be reiterated that preparedness saves lives long before rescue attempts begin.
However, infrastructure and policy alone cannot solve this crisis. Public awareness is extremely crucial. Communities that understand the risks of deforestation, poor drainage and unsafe construction are more likely to make responsible choices. Education creates a sense of ownership over personal and environmental safety.
Sri Lanka is a small island. Land is limited, and the pressure to expand housing, businesses and infrastructure is immense. However, careless development, whether driven by negligence, ignorance or desperation, only contributes to future tragedies. A culture of sustainable land use must be cultivated across the island. Citizens must take responsibility for how they build and where they build, just as the authorities must enforce regulations properly. At the end of the day, both the Government and the public must act together. The safety of our communities and the responsible use of our land are shared responsibilities.