A study by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has found that one-fifth of Sri Lanka's landmass is prone to landslides, particularly in the central hills.
According to the NBRO study, around 13,000 square kilometres of lands spread over Badulla, Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Matale, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota- are landslide –prone.
The study also found that the frequency of landslides is increasing and that the major causes are unplanned land use practices, intensive cultivation, non-engineered constructions, human intervention and deforestation.