A stakeholder consultation and awareness workshop on landslide risk management was successfully conducted on 24 November 2025 at the Main Auditorium of the Walasmulla Divisional Secretariat, Hambantota, under the project “Building Resilient Communities through Locally Led Disaster Risk Management Initiatives.” The project is implemented by the Sri Lanka Preparedness Partnership (SLPP) with financial support from the Asian Disaster Readiness Fund (ADRF).
The workshop focused on strengthening forecast-based, locally led early warning and early action systems to reach last-mile communities, with particular emphasis on the development and testing of a Landslide Early Warning Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and enhancing community awareness on landslide risks and preparedness.
The programme aimed to promote risk-informed decision-making among key stakeholders from the public sector, private sector, and civil society, while facilitating a divisional-level consultation to formulate a context-specific SOP for the Walasmulla Divisional Secretariat Division. Special attention was given to five high-risk locations: Saputhanthri Kanda, Thalapath Kanda, Dehigahahena, Rammala, and Pathegama.
Organized by Janathakshan GTE Ltd. in collaboration with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Ruhuna, the full-day workshop brought together over 100 participants representing government institutions, non-governmental organizations, private sector entities, academia, media, community-based organizations, and local authorities. Notably, approximately 60% of participants were women, reflecting strong gender inclusion in disaster risk management efforts.
Through expert technical presentations, case-based group discussions, and participatory exercises, stakeholders collectively contributed to the development of a locally grounded landslide early warning SOP, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and reinforced community-centered disaster preparedness practices.
The workshop marked a significant milestone in enhancing landslide resilience, institutional collaboration, and operational readiness within the Walasmulla Divisional Secretariat Division, laying a strong foundation for effective early warning and early action at the local level.
