Severe shortage of earth slip geologists

COLOMBO: There are only 10 geologists on earth slips and landslides, Assistant Director, Disaster Management Centre, Ananda Dharmaratne said.

He said this number is not sufficient and a proper geological survey or study on this subject has not been done since independence. Nine areas have been identified as high risk areas and these areas are prone to landslides during a heavy rainfall, Dharmaratne said.

The nine high risk areas are highly populated slopes around Kandy town, Nawalapitiya, Ginigathhena, Haldummulla, Ratnapura, Peradeniya, Welimada, Balangoda and Haputale.

Dharmaratne said this situation is, as a result of unplanned constructions in these areas. Geological aspects have been neglected while planning buildings in these areas, he added.