Residents evacuated following major landslide in Maskeliya estate

A catastrophic landslide in a section of the Gartmore Estate in Maskeliya prompted authorities to order the immediate evacuation of families living in high-risk line housing located directly above the slope failure.

Geological assessment teams from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) inspected the area and identified severe soil instability caused by persistent torrential downpours across the Central Highlands.

Local police and administrative officials moved affected residents to temporary welfare centers set up in schools and religious institutions. Emergency assistance, clean water, and food rations are being distributed while engineers continue monitoring ground movements.