Resettlement as a flood-preventive measure in Sri Lanka: Investigation into the socio-economic impacts

Siriwardhana, Senuri; Kulatunga, Udayangani; Ingirige, Bingunath

Abstract

Resettlement has been adopted as a flood-preventive strategy to reduce the vulnerability of communities, especially those in flood-prone areas. While providing safe locations, resettlement needs to ensure long-term sustainability and satisfaction in social, economic and cultural aspects of the affected community. This chapter investigates the effectiveness of resettlement as a flood-preventive measure in Sri Lanka by probing into the lived experience of a community before and after resettlement. Accordingly, a case study was conducted for the Kalu River Bank Resettlement implemented following the 2017 floods in the Kalutara District in Sri Lanka. The findings disclosed that resettlements of communities away from their native lands have both positive and negative consequences. Further, providing culturally and socially sensitive housing, infrastructure and land development was highlighted in the study. The necessity of fulfilling the community expectations through the development of a strategic resettlement policy framework rather than on political favouritism is also reiterated.

Citation

Siriwardhana, S., Kulatunga, U., & Ingirige, B. Resettlement as a flood-preventive measure in Sri Lanka: Investigation into the socio-economic impacts. In Handbook of Flood Risk Management in Developing Countries (55 - 69). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003160823

• Online Publication Date: Mar 16, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 22, 2023
• Publisher: Routledge
• Pages: 55 - 69
• Book Title: Handbook of Flood Risk Management in Developing Countries
• Chapter Number: 5
• ISBN: 9781003160823
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003160823