Joint operation launched to tackle Colombo flooding at 60 locations

A joint operation involving several State institutions was launched on Sunday (08) to address flooding and flash floods in Colombo and its suburbs, with 60 locations where drainage is obstructed identified for urgent action.

The programme was launched on Sunday under the leadership of Colombo Mayor Vrai Kelly Balthazar and Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara.

The initiative covers five electoral divisions of the Colombo Municipal Council — North Colombo, East Colombo, West Colombo, Borella and Central Colombo.

Authorities have begun clearing blocked drains, cleaning canals and restoring drainage systems, with priority given to areas at high risk of flooding.

Initial work is being carried out at Kirimandala Mawatha in Narahenpita, Haig Road in Bambalapitiya, Collingwood Place and Parakum Road in Wellawatte, the Cooray Urban Housing Scheme, Stafford Road in Kirulapone and the adjoining canal.

Operations are also under way at Heen Ela near Baseline Road, Aramaya Road in Dematagoda, the New Bazaar area in Central Colombo, De Mel Watta and Paradise Road.

Personnel from the Sri Lanka Army, Colombo Municipal Council, Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Urban Development Authority and Road Development Authority are taking part in the operation.

Officials said the programme would go beyond clearing immediate blockages and seek to address long-standing drainage problems through repairs, regular maintenance and better coordination among State institutions.

The initiative follows heavy rainfall on November 6, which left several parts of Colombo and its suburbs inundated for hours, disrupting traffic and daily activities.

Pettah, Dematagoda, Orugodawatte, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya and Kompanna Veediya were among the areas affected.

Authorities have identified poor maintenance of drainage systems, unauthorised construction and land reclamation, unplanned urban development, waste dumped into canals and drains, and weak coordination among institutions as contributing factors.

The Government plans to bring the maintenance, rehabilitation and monitoring of drainage systems under a coordinated framework instead of allowing institutions to operate independently.

Officials said the programme was intended to provide immediate relief from flash flooding while establishing a longer-term mechanism to reduce Colombo’s vulnerability to floods.

Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala, Colombo Municipal Council Deputy Mayor Hemantha Weerakoon, local government representatives, officials and residents were also present during the field operations.