BY Buddhika Samaraweera
Every monsoon season, the people of Ratnapura city and surrounding areas brace themselves for the inevitable: flooding. For residents like Isuru Dassanayake from the Hangamuwa area, this annual ordeal has been a relentless reality since childhood. “As soon as there is rainy weather in the country, people start talking about Ratnapura on social media platforms,” he laments. The connection between Ratnapura and floods is so well-known that it has become a grim routine. Dassanayake and thousands of others continue to live in fear of the next deluge, watching helplessly as the lack of decisive action leaves them submerged, year after year.
Located in the Sabaragamuwa Province, the geographical location of Ratnapura exacerbates its flooding issues; the city is situated at the confluence of the Wey River (Ganga) and the Kalu River (Ganga). Both of these river catchments include regions with steep slopes, causing the city to flood rapidly, often within a few hours, during periods of heavy rainfall. Ratnapura often experiences two major flood events during the year, with one occurring between May and June and the other between September and October. Primarily caused by heavy rainfall and the overflow of the Kalu River, these floods often lead to significant damage in both the city and the surrounding areas.
Geographical Vulnerability
The recurring flood issue in Ratnapura is fundamentally a technical, yet manageable, issue exacerbated by the region’s unique geographical features, as explained by an official from the National Building Research Organisation’s (NBRO) Ratnapura District Office. He said that Ratnapura’s location at about 130 metres (m) above sea level plays a critical role in the occurrence of floods. “Ratnapura is only 130 m above sea level, and the distance from Ratnapura to Kalutara is about 43 kilometres (km) to the point where the Kalu Ganga falls into the sea. All that water has to flow from a mere height of 130 m,”
He further said that the region surrounding Ratnapura, including areas like Rakwana Mountains, Kalawana, Sinharaja rainforest, Weligepola, Opanayake, Balangoda, Adam’s Peak, and Erathna, receives significantly high rainfall. “All that water, flowing from these areas which are about 500 to 600 m above sea level, flows down to Ratnapura and surrounding areas at a high speed, creating floods within an hour or two at time of high rainfall.” However, the NBRO official emphasised that this issue is manageable with strategic interventions. “If the water is released little by little, this problem can be mitigated,”
Development Missteps
Dr. Ajantha Perera, a prominent environmentalist, expressed her concerns about the adverse effects of unplanned development activities on natural water flow systems. She said that natural channels such as canals, streams, and rivers form a crucial part of a basin system, allowing rainwater to flow seamlessly, adding various unplanned development projects however often obstruct these natural routes, leading to floods during the rainy seasons. “In our country, development projects often proceed whenever funds become available, without adhering to proper standards. This leads to natural water channels being blocked or occupied by buildings. To prevent adverse consequences from development activities, there should be regional, city, and provincial plans. Unfortunately, such plans are currently lacking, and politicians implement development projects in ways that serve their interests.”
Impact of Gem Mining
Engineer Dr. Tissa Liyanage, who is constantly researching the gem industry and related issues, highlighted that unregulated gem mining activities have exacerbated the flood problem in Ratnapura. He said that gem mining has surged in popularity recently due to the extensive use of machinery for rapid, mass-scale gem extraction. However, he said that the machinery and methods currently employed are not environmentally sustainable. “Unlike traditional gem mining, which incorporated numerous protective measures to safeguard the environment, modern high-tech extraction methods lack such precautions. Consequently, the sensitive soil layers become destroyed and water ways get blocked, leading to a host of adverse consequences including flood.”
In contemporary times, he said that the majority of individuals involved in gem mining focus solely on excavating, identifying gem-bearing layers, washing them using machinery, and extracting gems. “They demonstrate little concern for the broader consequences of their actions. Despite the recognised environmental risks associated with machinery-driven gem mining, along with suggested alternative approaches, industry participants show a disinterest in implementing these measures. Following their mining activities, they typically abandon the land without taking steps to address the resulting environmental degradation.”
Community Voices
Dassanayake, a resident of Hangamuwa area, located in Elapatha Divisional Secretariat (DS) Division of Ratnapura District, shared that since his childhood, they (Hangamuwa residents) have been impacted by floods almost every year. He remarked that none of the politicians who entered Parliament or other political structures, such as the Provincial Council (PC) and Local Government (LG) bodies, with promises to address the issues faced by the people of Ratnapura District, including the issue of flooding, have managed to provide a permanent solution to the flood problem. “Politicians claim they will solve the people’s issues, yet the most serious and pressing issue we face in Ratnapura is flooding. The people have been suffering from this problem for generations, and generations to come will continue to suffer. Yet, the politicians have consistently failed to fulfill their promises and provide effective solutions,” he said.
A Statistical View of Floods
In retrospect, Ratnapura experienced one of the most catastrophic floods in its history in 2003. The sheer scale of the 2003 floods is evident from the figures: 34,473 families were affected, and 122 lives were lost. A total of 2,544 houses were fully damaged, and another 8,683 were partially damaged. Schools and wells were also significantly impacted, with 47 schools and 4,452 wells damaged. The economic toll was immense, with total damages estimated at Rs 1,140 million. The housing sector damages alone accounted for Rs 600 million. Other significant damages included rural roads (Rs 144 million), the electricity network (Rs 62 million), and various irrigation schemes (Rs 33 million).
Subsequent floods continued to ravage Ratnapura. When considering some recent years, in May 2016, the floods affected 4,564 families in the District, comprising 18,035 members, and resulted in 2 deaths. A total of 66 houses were fully damaged, and another 473 houses were partially damaged. There were 40 safety centres set up, accommodating 4,754 people from 1,287 families.
The floods of May 2017 were also devastating, affecting a total of 60,094 families with 235,709 members. There were 86 deaths and 99 incidents of people sustaining injuries. The floods fully damaged 932 houses and partially damaged 14,386. Additionally, 2,977 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were impacted. The disaster led to the establishment of 213 safety centres, sheltering 38,868 people belonging to 10,713 families.
During the flood in May 2020, 9,716 persons were affected, and there were 2 deaths. The floods in March 2021 affected 2,501 families, comprising 9,764 persons, and resulted in 4 fully damaged houses and 690 partially damaged houses. A total of 67 SMEs were also affected.
The April 2022 flood saw 3,873 families affected, including 15,252 persons. There were 2 deaths and injuries each. The floods partially damaged 1,042 houses and 132 SMEs, and critical infrastructure suffered 9 instances of damage.
The June 2023 floods affected 508 families, totaling 1,896 members, and resulted in 2 deaths. A total of 176 houses were partially damaged, and 15 SMEs were affected.
The most recent floods in Ratnapura early this month (June) were particularly severe, affecting 15,633 families with 59,782 members. There were 7 deaths and 19 injuries. The floods fully damaged 31 houses and partially damaged 2,734. Additionally, 336 SMEs were impacted, and 74 instances of critical infrastructure damage were recorded.
Economic and Social Costs of Flood Relief
The Disaster Management Centre’s (DMC) Ratnapura District Office stated that the Government is allocating funds almost every year to provide relief to those affected by natural disasters in Ratnapura District, mainly floods and landslides. The relief efforts have included various programmes such as providing cooked food, distributing dry rations, compensating families for deaths and injuries, donating kitchen utensils, and supplying drinking water. The reports available on the National Disaster Relief Service Centre (NDRSC) official website reveal that in 2014, Rs. 6.48 million was spent on proving relief to those affected by flood in Ratnapura, followed by Rs. 2.5 million in 2015, and Rs. 3.67 million in 2016. The expenditure surged to Rs. 286.28 million in 2017 and Rs. 77.79 million in 2018. In 2019, an approximate sum of Rs. 199 million was allocated to provide relief to those affected due to natural disasters including flood and landslides in the Ratnapura District. The following year, 2020, saw Rs. 57.00 million allocated for Ratnapura District, and in 2021, an approximate sum of Rs. 20 million was allocated. Accordingly, a sum of about Rs. 6.5 billion was spent by the Government to provide relief to flood-affected people in Ratnapura during the course of 7 years.
The impact of floods extends beyond the Government’s expenditure, as per the annual reports prepared by the NDRSC, encompassing widespread damage to houses, businesses, infrastructure, roads and bridges, and educational facilities. Such damages result in an estimated annual loss about Rs. 3 billion. Moreover, flood-affected communities endure profound social and psychological challenges, including disruptions to livelihoods, educational setbacks for children, and increased health risks due to post-flood disease outbreaks.
Barring Investments?
Susantha Gamlath, a medium-scale gem merchant based in Ratnapura, remarked that despite the potential to transform Ratnapura into a well-developed area through its gem resources, this opportunity has been undermined by frequent flooding. He explained that people avoid purchasing land and constructing business premises in flood-prone areas and refrain from making investments. “Although Ratnapura is the source of 90% of Sri Lanka’s gemstones, it lacks sufficient globally recognized laboratories. In contrast, Beruwala, where there are no gems at all, serves as the primary gem trade point in Sri Lanka. The persistent risk of flooding in Ratnapura contributes significantly to this disparity.” He further noted that Ratnapura city lacks luxury housing schemes and manufacturing plants for the same reason.
An Unfinished Vision
S.G. Karunaratne, a former gem miner from the Malwala area in Ratnapura, now residing in Godakawela, recalled that slain MP Nalanda Ellawala had proposed a progressive plan in the early 1990s to tackle the flooding issue. However, this plan never came to fruition due to his (Ellawala) untimely demise in February, 1997. “He had this plan of blocking the Kalu Ganga in Palabaddala area and redirecting the excess water to the dry zone areas. I vividly remember him presenting this proposal in Parliament. They had even started some initial work, but everything came to a halt after his demise. I’m no expert, but I believe his plan could have brought some relief to many people.”
When contacted to inquire more about the attempt, Lakshman Peiris, who used to be a private staff member to Ellawala, said that Ellawala’s father, late MP Nanda Sydney Ellawala first proposed a solution to address the persistent flooding issue in Ratnapura. “His proposal included straightening a significant bend in the Kalu Ganga near the market. This bend had been a major cause of flooding, and straightening it was seen as a crucial step in mitigating flood risks. Unfortunately, the Government of 1970s halted these efforts, leaving the project incomplete.”
He further said that Nalanda Ellawala revived his father’s initiative in the 1990s, with a detailed proposal being submitted to Parliament. “Following his proposal, a survey was conducted in Palabaddala area, and it was proposed to block Kalu Ganga in Palabaddala area. If that project was completed, the existing Palabaddala-Ratnapura road would have been lost. As a solution to that, an alternative road was constructed, linking Kuruwita and Palabaddala. That road is still in use. Despite these successes, the project remained unfinished with Ellawala’s death and subsequent Government changes.”
The ‘Dried’ Dry Dam
Flood issue in Ratnapura has a solution that has been long overlooked: the construction of a dry dam, a type of dam constructed specifically for flood control. Unlike traditional dams, dry dams typically contain no gates or turbines and are designed to allow the channel to flow freely under normal conditions. During periods of intense rainfall, which would otherwise lead to flooding, it holds back the excess water and releases it downstream at a controlled level. However, the project has been stalled due to a contentious issue involving about 600 houses located in Malwala, Kalawana and Ayagama areas, which would need to be relocated to make way for the dam.
When contacted, Ratnapura District MP and Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis, Gamini Waleboda, emphasized that solutions to the flood issue in Ratnapura exist, but none of the political leaders representing the district have adopted a long-term approach to flood prevention or management. “Plans were made to temporarily dam the rivers to hold back the water. Various proposals made since the 1960s included building reservoirs, generating hydropower, and directing water to areas like Hambantota and Colombo. However, these solutions are very costly. The practical approach is to temporarily contain the water in rivers and release it gradually. Floods occur because a large volume of water flows through within a short span of time,” he explained.
Waleboda highlighted that the construction of a dry dam has been identified as the most feasible and effective solution to the issue, but progress has stalled due to a lack of funds and political apathy. “The latest proposal was submitted and approved by the Ratnapura District Coordination Committee in 2020. About Rs. 200 million is needed to study its feasibility. Government agencies can handle that, but a request for that sum from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not granted. Later, President Ranil Wickremesinghe allocated Rs. 50 million in 2023, with a plan to allocate the remaining Rs. 150 million in 2024, but this did not happen either. Ironically, this has occurred when the Minister of Irrigation, Pavithra Devi Wanniarachchi, is also from Ratnapura.”
In addition to the lack of funds, Waleboda pointed out that political disinterest is partly due to local opposition to the project. “If this project is implemented, the rivers should be dammed in areas like Malwala, Ayagama, and Kalawana. There are about 600 houses that would need to be relocated during the construction. The residents are opposing the project, and politicians are afraid of losing votes,” he said.
“The best ever solution to the issue of flooding in Ratnapura is to construct a dry dam. There is even a specific location identified for constructing this dry dam, but the reluctance of political leaders to facilitate its execution has been a significant barrier. Some of them are not interested in the issue, while others fear losing votes if they do. Relocating the residents of the would-affect houses is absolutely doable. In the past, there have been instances where entire villages were relocated for the construction of dams. Yet now, the entire community of Ratnapura continues to suffer from severe flooding to save those.” a former Ratnapura Divisional Secretary also said.
Challenges of Long-Term Project Implementation
Commenting on the efforts made during the 2015-2019 period to resolve the flood issue in Ratnapura, then-Minister of Megapolis and Western Development and incumbent Opposition MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said that it was planned to redirect excess water of the Kalu Ganga to the Udawalawa area through a tributary, and from there to the Hambantota and Monaragala areas. “The people opposed the implementation of this project, and certain politicians were also behind it. There is another issue. That is, there projects can’t be completed in one or two years. It takes at least 10 years, but a Government is in power for only five years, so how can the project which needs 10 years be completed within five years?”
Successive Governments often lacking interest in the continuous implementation and completion of long-term projects that benefit the people is a serious issue in the country. Most of such projects are either abandoned or left incomplete, depriving the community of their potential benefits. Politicians often prioritise short-term gains that can be realised within their tenure, aiming to secure immediate public approval and votes. For genuine progress, it is however imperative that political authorities adopt a more visionary approach. They must prioritise the welfare of the people over political gains and ensure that projects, especially those with significant long-term benefits, are carried forward seamlessly across different administrations.
Potential Benefits of a Lasting Solution
The residents of Ratnapura are not asking for miracles. They seek committed political leadership that prioritises the well-being of the many over the interests of a few. Transparent communication, collaborative problem-solving, and the courage to take necessary but potentially unpopular decisions are crucial. As Ratnapura continues to suffer from frequent floods, the call for responsible leadership grows louder. Going beyond a mere technical solution, the proposed construction of the dry dam also represents a litmus test for political will and integrity. The people of Ratnapura deserve politicians who act not just for the next election but for the next generation.
Claiming that Ratnapura remains one of the poorest districts in Sri Lanka despite generating substantial wealth, MP Waleboda emphasised that political leaders of the District must bear full responsibility for this situation. “They lacked vision in the past and continue to lack it today. These leaders have perpetuated poverty as a means to maintain their power. Ratnapura is a gem, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s economy with approximately US $500 million worth of gems exported annually. Despite this, none of the revenue is reinvested into Ratnapura. The city, which is the commercial hub of the district, is the most vulnerable to frequent flooding, so how can economic growth be achieved?”
Addressing the flooding issue in Ratnapura with a lasting solution would save the country about Rs. 4 billion annually including an approximate sum of Rs. 1 billion spent annually by the Government on flood relief, allowing these funds to be redirected towards more forward-looking initiatives, such as improving the education sector. With rising school dropout rates, parents struggling to provide necessary educational resources, children fainting at school due to lack of food, and education sector professionals including teachers and principals are lamenting insufficient salaries, it is crucial for the Government to prioritise long-term solutions for chronic issues. It would not only solve the immediate problem but also allow for investments in critical areas like education, ultimately fostering a more prosperous future for the entire nation.
Attempts to contact several politicians representing the Ratnapura District including Irrigation Minister Pavithra Devi Wanniarachchi and State Minister of Environment Janaka Wakkumbura, and MPs Vasudewa Nanayakkara and W.D.J. Seneviratne proved futile.
The Story was originally published on The Daily Morning on 25 June 2024 under the Electoral Integrity Fellowship of Center for Investigative Reporting, Supported by the Netherlands Embassy.
