Exploring the Disaster Management Practices: on Reduction of Landslide Vulnerability by Mitigation Measures Project in Rathnapura District

Abstract

Landslides provide a serious disaster risk in Sri Lanka, especially in the Rathnapura district, where harsh weather and deforestation enhance vulnerability. This research focusses on the Reduction of Landslide Vulnerability by Mitigation Measures Project (RLVMMP), which evaluates disaster management strategies. The recognised issue is the inefficiency of mitigating methods, despite continual attempts, resulting in continued landslide-related losses. The study aims to answer crucial questions on the preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery measures used in RLVMMP. The goals include evaluating the effectiveness of current disaster management strategies, finding gaps, and making recommendations to improve landslip resilience. The study identifies a large knowledge vacuum about how community participation, technological integration, and policy enforcement affect catastrophe risk reduction. Methodologically, the research takes a qualitative approach, with interviews with project officers, community members, and disaster management professionals. Convenience sampling was utilised to choose 23 participants, from the total population (30) which included 15 disaster-affected households, 5 project officers, and 10 community members. Data was gathered through interviews and secondary sources such as government publications and policy documents, then analysed using Microsoft Word and Excel, with the results displayed as pie charts and bar graphs. The findings show that, while RLVMMP incorporates hazard mapping, early warning systems, and structural mitigation measures, gaps exist in stakeholder coordination, financial sustainability, and community engagement. The recommendations include boosting investment in sustainable infrastructure, improving public-private partnerships, and strengthening community-led disaster preparedness. This work helps to disaster risk management by offering insights that may help Sri Lankan policymakers enhance landslide mitigation techniques