By 
GHRD Research Team
Mikhail Nilov, July 24, 2019
In light of the latest conference, Sri Lanka discusses additional measures to solve the destruction floods caused in the Matara district. The Government enlists the help of universities and engineering students to reassure the population.
The city of Matara is located on Sri Lanka’s southern coast and it has attracted many people over the years thanks to the Nilawala River flowing through it. Although the presence of the river greatly benefits the city, in recent years, the Nilawala has caused significant damage. In 2003 and 2004, the river overflowed during the monsoon season, causing hundreds of deaths and destroying thousands of houses and agricultural fields.
More recently, in Autumn 2023, massive rainfall triggered landslides and floods, affecting thousands of families and damaging countless properties, fields, and livestock. Some of the landslides affected the whole country as they blockaded major highways connecting Matara’s region with the rest of the country.
Notably, at the time of the catastrophic event in 2023, Sri Lankan authorities required immediate action from both national and international experts, asking for support and demanding collaborative efforts from the Disaster Management Authorities and District Administrations. Furthermore, the government advised governmental bodies, non-profit organisations, and individuals to help mitigate the damages in any way they could.
Notwithstanding the immediate actions taken by the Sri Lankan government, it has not yet been able to solve the problems connected with the floods in Matara, as discussed in a conference held in March.
During the conference, the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, advised the delegates of the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, and Urban Development, Construction, and Housing, to take precautionary measures to minimise the effects of probable flooding in the Matara region caused by the recent heavy rainfalls.
The concern of the government is due to the fact that it has not completely resolved the damages endured during the 2023 floods. In fact, many people have still not been able to return to their homes and remain forced to live in shelters. Hundreds of houses are still destroyed, and those who were able to return to their homes continue to be threatened by the river.
However, it must be noted that the government has implemented certain measures to minimise the impact of future floods, such as the construction of barriers across the river and the removal of objects to facilitate the drainage of water.During the meeting, the development of these solutions was discussed and further measures were proposed. Additionally, the government has praised the University of Peradeniya and its affiliated Engineering Design Centre for their help in designing these solutions.
Residents and farmers have expressed, on the one hand, faith in the new proposals, adding that they hope to see concrete results in the future. On the other hand, they expressed concerns about the intrusion of saltwater in their fields, resulting in crop damage.
It is hoped that the latest conference can reassure the inhabitants of the region. The hope to find a definitive solution to the problem seems at reach thanks to the help from universities and national funds.
Sources and Further Readings:
Unraveling the Impact of Matara’s Devastating Floods – A Community in Crisis
Urgent Measures Needed to Control Flooding in the Matara District – Secretary to the President
Matara – Sri Lanka. Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready
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