Analysis of land suitability for development activities in Eastern and Northern coasts of Sri Lanka using spatial technology

Abstract

Natural resources in North and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka were severely affected due to the civil war. This was more significant along the coastal zone from Mannar to Batticaloa. It has been establishing more economic development activities in Northern and Eastern provinces after the war. Arial photography, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) data and satellite images have proven their importance as additional tools in identifying prospective areas for natural resources and also for locating suitable sites for establishing new development activities. In this study integrated approach of remote sensing techniques, Arial photo interpretation and GIS techniques were applied to produce reliable information for identification of most suitable locations for the development activities in the Northern and Eastern coastal zones of Sri Lanka.