The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided advanced drones to Sri Lanka’s Road Development Authority (RDA) as part of a technical cooperation initiative aimed at strengthening landslide disaster prevention. This initiative, named the Project for Strengthening the Capacity of Landslide Disaster Prevention for Resilient Road Transportation in Sri Lanka (2025–2028), is designed to enhance the country’s capabilities in landslide risk screening, hazard evaluation, disaster-related data management, and emergency response for national road networks, particularly in areas prone to landslides.
The delivery of these drones was in response to an urgent request from the RDA following Cyclone Ditwa. “The newly provided drones will now be used to investigate the hazardous slopes from the air,” stated Minoru Matsunoshita, Senior Representative of the JICA Sri Lanka Office.
According to JICA, these drones will enable RDA engineers and Japanese experts to conduct comprehensive field investigations, assess landslide-affected slopes, identify high-risk locations, and explore potential emergency mitigation measures. The project team, consisting of RDA engineers and Japanese experts, is set to embark on a broader field survey of areas impacted by the cyclone starting in March 2026.
“Based on the findings from the field investigation, the JICA experts will examine potential emergency measures at each site and provide technical advice to the RDA, as well as identify road sections and areas that are particularly at high risk,” JICA elaborated.
The drones, equipped with high-precision imaging and mapping capabilities, will enhance real-time assessment of disaster-affected areas, facilitate rapid hazard detection, enable accurate topographic surveys, assist in creating 3D models, and monitor vulnerable road sections. The insights gained will inform the selection of pilot sites and the planning of evidence-based disaster-response actions under the project.
The high-resolution data collected will also be integrated into the Sri Lanka Road Asset Management System, thereby supporting quicker and more reliable decision-making during emergencies.
(Colombo/Mar 3/2026)
