Sri Lanka

Key findings and conclusions at the national level

• Enhanced coordination between different government departments, contingency planning and climate change adaptation measures are all required to mitigate the impacts of floods and droughts
• Drug addiction and alcoholism are the new and emerging threats of communities most at risk
• There is a need to improve community participation in assessment, planning, implementation and monitoring of risk reduction activities, and, access to information and resources, at the local level for effective resilience building

Surveys undertaken in Sri Lanka

Our Views from the Frontline surveys in Sri Lanka were undertaken in 2019.

Who was surveyed?

We surveyed 755 random households, 150 civil society organisations, 150 local government representatives, and undertook 75 community consultations.

Risk locations prioritised

We prioritised four risk areas:

• Matara District
• Ratnapura District
• Batticaloa District
• Kurunegala District

Communities surveyed

We surveyed people from 15 communities: Deniyaya, Morawaka, Kiriweldola, Beliattakumbura, Godigamuwa, Batugedara, Kotamulla, Dellabada, Kokkuvil, Karaveddi, Kannankudah, Vilgoda, Galwala (Saumya Mawatha), Yakadapotha, Diullepitiya.

Our impact

Activities undertaken in response to community-level findings and conclusions

• Training and capacity building for communities on disaster preparedness – with a focus on first aid
• Purchase of life saving equipment, camping sets, and a canoe
• Water management through the construction of water filters, and renovation of public wells
• Flood risk management addressed through cleaning of drainages and canals, and converting sand roads into gravel roads
• Sanitation facilities improved through the construction of public toilets

Impact of activities

• Disaster preparedness activities – especially the purchase of a canoe – were utilised by communities during floods (which happened during the implementation of the project activities)
• Communities can access safe drinking water in drought-prone areas
• Improved sanitation behaviour observed amongst the communities since the construction of public toilets

Our project partners in Sri Lanka

Our Views from the Frontline programme is implemented by GNDR member organisations and partners in the country.

National coordinating organisation

• Janathakshan (Gte) Ltd

Partner organisations

• Asia Lanka Social Development Cooperation
• Environment and Community Development Information Centre
• Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (Batticaloa Branch)
• Rural Centre for Development (Sangramaya)