Why do resettlements often fail in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Resettlement is often a necessary response to communities that have been displaced by disasters. Soon after a disaster induced displacement, temporary shelters will be made available to the displaced population collaboratively by governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders. However, despite extensive planning and investment, resettlement efforts frequently fail. The reasons for these failures range from administrative inefficiencies to socio-economic miscalculations and a lack of long-term sustainability planning (Ganapati, 2016). In Sri Lanka, schools, public buildings, and temples often serve as immediate temporary shelters following disasters. However, these buildings cannot function as long-term solutions, as they must soon resume their usual purposes. This urgency pressures the government to make urgent resettlement decisions, adding further challenges to the process. In such cases, the government assumes responsibility for resettlement, setting up institutional frameworks to oversee decision-making and implementation.