Schools in Central Province face no landslide risk: NBRO confirms

By Indika Sri Aravinda 

An assessment carried out by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has confirmed that no schools in the Central Province are at risk of landslides, despite recent adverse weather conditions. 

Accordingly, there is no requirement to evacuate any schools affected by landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, NBRO Director General Engineer Dr Asiri Karunawardena said. 

The assessment was conducted by the NBRO in collaboration with 15 expert teams drawn from three leading universities—University of Peradeniya, University of Moratuwa, and University of Sri Jayewardenepura—alongside specialists from the NBRO. 

While confirming that school premises are safe, the investigation found that access roads leading to several schools have deteriorated due to land subsidence. The assessment team has therefore recommended urgent repairs to these roads and informed the Education Ministry that it is appropriate to continue school operations in the affected locations. 

Dr Karunawardena said that the risk assessment was carried out from the 9th to the 15th, prioritising the safety of schoolchildren across the province. 

The report also covers landslide risk conditions in schools across the districts of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Matale, following adverse weather that affected Sri Lanka from November 27 to 30.