Advanced drones handed over by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to Sri Lanka’s Road Development Authority (RDA) in February are to be used exclusively to strengthen landslide disaster prevention and plan emergency measures more effectively.
According to a JICA statement, on 26 February 2026, JICA officially handed over advanced drones to the RDA under the Project for Strengthening Landslide Disaster Prevention Capacity for Resilient Road Transportation (2025–2028).
Following an urgent request from the RDA, JICA supported a comprehensive post‑disaster road survey in December after the severe impacts of Cyclone Ditwah.
JICA states these drones will now be used exclusively for aerial reconnaissance of hazardous slopes, helping RDA engineers and Japanese experts conduct wide field investigations, assess landslide‑affected areas, identify high‑risk road sections, and plan emergency measures more effectively.
The drones enhance real‑time assessment, accurate topographic surveys, 3D models to assess landslide extent, faster surveys at hazardous sites and monitoring of vulnerable road sections.
They will also feed high‑resolution data into the Sri Lanka Road Asset Management System, strengthening on‑site decision‑making during emergencies.
This timely support boosts disaster preparedness, strengthens emergency response, and contributes to a safer, more resilient national road network, JICA added. (Newswire)