30/10/2025
NBRO to Lead Nation-Wide Safety Drive with Cabinet Approval for Three Landmark Projects
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The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has received Cabinet approval for three critical, nation-building projects slated for implementation beginning in 2026. These initiatives mark a significant step towards strengthening structural safety, enhancing disaster resilience, and ensuring the long-term stability of landslide mitigation efforts across Sri Lanka. The proposals, presented by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Defence, highlight the government's commitment to creating a safer, disaster-resilient built environment for the public.
1. Formulation of the National Building Codes for Sri Lanka:
The Cabinet has granted approval for the NBRO's project proposal to formulate the National Building Codes for Sri Lanka. This landmark project addresses a significant, long-standing gap in the country's construction sector.
Why this matters:
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Safety and Quality: Building codes are essential regulations that define the minimum legal and technical requirements for the planning, construction, maintenance, and modification of buildings. Their absence has led to recurring problems concerning structural safety, construction quality, and regulatory oversight.
Comprehensive Coverage: The new Codes will cover the entire construction sector, focusing on crucial aspects such as structural integrity, fire safety, electrical and plumbing systems, energy efficiency, and disaster response capacity.
International Mandate: The formulation of these codes, particularly those that are climate-sensitive and unified, was identified as a priority recommendation by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through its Public Investment Management Assessment, in addition to receiving technical assistance from the World Bank Group.
The implementation of a unified, legally enforceable national code will introduce clear standards for design and construction, significantly enhancing the safety, health, and welfare of the people while minimising disaster risks.
2. Delineation of Total Impact Zones of Potential Landslides:
A significant new approach to landslide management has been approved with the project titled 'Delineation of Total Impact Zones of Potential Landslides based on Red and Yellow Zone Methodology'.
Why this matters:
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Beyond Initiation Zones: Currently, NBRO's maps primarily indicate areas susceptible to landslide initiations. However, effective risk management requires identifying the entire area that may be affected.
Comprehensive Risk Assessment: The new methodology will delineate the Total Impact Zone, which includes the landslide initiation zone, the debris flow path, and the depositional areas.
Focus on Mountainous Areas: This project is crucial as the mountainous region, which accounts for about 30% of the country's total land area and spans 14 districts, is highly susceptible to landslide risk.
By mapping the total impact zones, the NBRO will provide essential, accurate data for land use planning, disaster preparedness, and urgent risk minimisation measures across the island.
3. Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Mitigated Landslides:
Recognising the vital need to preserve years of work and significant investment, the Cabinet approved the ‘Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Mitigated Landslides’ project for the period 2026–2030.
Why this matters:
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Protecting Investments: Over the past 10 years, the NBRO has successfully implemented approximately 250 slope stabilization projects, incurring an expense of nearly Rs. 10 billion.
Long-Term Stability: The long-term stability of a mitigated site is dependent on the proper management of subsurface and surface drainage patterns. Failure to maintain these systems can lead to previously stabilized locations becoming unstable once more.
Addressing Negligence: Despite NBRO issuing guidelines to relevant stakeholder institutions, a lack of proper maintenance has created new threats of instability at mitigated sites.
This new, planned project, which received a positive recommendation from the Department of National Planning, will ensure that active and proper maintenance activities are carried out, preventing risks and securing the stability of critical infrastructure and settlements built around these previously mitigated sites.
These three new projects collectively represent a forward-looking, holistic strategy by the NBRO and the Government of Sri Lanka to enhance public safety, establish high-quality standards in construction, and substantially minimize the nation's vulnerability to natural disasters.
