Over one third Sri Lankans live in landslide prone areas: scientist

COLOMBO, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Around 38 percent of Sri Lankans live in landslide-prone areas, a senior scientist from the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) warned on Tuesday.

Dr. Wasantha Senadeera, a senior scientist from NBRO, said that 30 percent of Sri Lanka's landmass is prone to landslides and 14 districts in the country are prone to landslides, especially those in the central part of the country.

"Despite our warnings, an increasing number of people have settled in these areas. These people also carry out activities that increase the risk of landslides," he said.

Senadeera said that the heavy rains over Sri Lanka have subsided a bit, but the landslide risk is prevalent in some areas.