With landslide risk at its highest alert level, authorities warn that parts of Kandy may face relocation as officials wait on critical safety clearance from national experts.
Minister K. D. Lal Kantha said that Kandy may have to be relocated to another location following fresh landslide warnings issued by the National Building Research Organization. He noted that while efforts are underway to restore normalcy in the Kandy district after severe weather conditions, officials cannot proceed further until clear confirmation is received that the area is safe.
“According to the warning issued by the National Building Research Organization yesterday, Kandy may have to be relocated to another location in Sri Lanka. Kandy may have to be relocated to Ampara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa or another location. This was the main topic of discussion at the coordination meeting,” the Minister said.
He made these remarks while outlining the landslide warnings issued for Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale districts, emphasizing that the disaster risk remains extremely high. According to the National Building Research Organization, more than 20 areas in Kandy have now been placed under Red Alert Level 3, the highest risk category under national disaster guidelines.
“Even if we have been given permission to reopen schools, we may have to bring more people to schools and provide shelter instead,” Minister Lal Kantha said. He added that extensive discussions are being held to manage the emergency, with eight special response teams already deployed and more likely to be added.
“We have even considered seeking international assistance. We have to decide whether to relocate people, whether to continue using schools as shelters, whether to reopen schools, etc. But we are struggling to make these decisions without clear guidelines from the National Building Research Organization,” he said. “We cannot relocate all 20 divisional secretariats. But we are requesting that certain areas be given priority.”
The Minister further stressed that regional coordination committees must work closely with district-level teams and act with greater responsibility in guiding post-disaster recovery.
