Residents of Maspanna town in the Gampaha Koraley area of Uva Paranagama remain concerned about ongoing risks to their lives and properties nearly a year after the Ditwah cyclone triggered a devastating landslide. The disaster, which struck in late November last year, caused significant damage across the Badulla district, with Maspanna experiencing one of the largest landslides in the region.
Villagers say they have received little progress in addressing safety measures recommended by the National Building Research Institute (NBRI) of Badulla in February. These guidelines aimed to prevent further landslides and mitigate damage from heavy rains, a recurrent issue in the area.
T M Tennakoon, a Maspanna resident who credits his dog, Chuti, for warning of the initial landslide, expressed frustration at the limited action taken so far. Aside from soil removal at the local bus stop and a nearby road section, Tennakoon said that the majority of NBRI’s instructions have yet to be implemented. “Even though it has been 10 months since the landslide, the responsible parties have not fulfilled any of the instructions issued by the Badulla NBRI except for removing the soil at the bus stop and near the road,” he stated.
The NBRI report categorized affected buildings into high-risk and medium-risk zones. It identified eight commercial premises near the Maspanna bus stand as high risk, while 107 residential houses, including Tennakoon’s, were listed as medium risk. The report highlights that the accumulation of soil and water from the initial landslide remains piled in several spots around the bus stand area.
Although the Welimada Public Works Engineering Office removed soil blocking the bus stand and cleared the main road connecting Yalagamuwa, Galanhila, Kandy, and Mahiyangana, significant soil deposits persist nearby. This blockage risks impeding natural rainwater flow from the mountainside, potentially leading to further flooding or landslides affecting roughly 20 houses.
Residents warn that continued heavy rains could cause new damage, especially during nighttime conditions when occupants are most vulnerable. Tennakoon called for urgent intervention to establish an effective drainage system to prevent water from pooling and triggering additional disasters.
Regarding compensation, Tennakoon noted promises from the Government of financial relief packages, including Rs. 25,000 for house rental, Rs. 5 million for rebuilding homes, and another Rs. 5 million for land acquisition. The Government also provided Rs. 25,000 for cleaning damaged houses. However, he reported that those affected have not yet received the majority of the pledged compensation, despite assurances made in Parliament about available funds.
As the rainy season intensifies, villagers remain anxious about their safety and the lack of concrete progress in implementing measures designed to protect their homes and livelihoods.