INTEGRATING THE SOCIAL IN THE DIGITAL: A STUDY OF DISASTER INFORMATION FLOW PRODUCTIVITY IN SRI LANKA

The increasing integration of digital technologies has fundamentally transformed disaster governance, particularly in the production, dissemination, and utilisation of disaster–related information. This study evaluates the productivity of disaster information flow in Sri Lanka by examining four key dimensions: digital governance arrangements, data use and security, communication processes, and community engagement. Adopting a qualitative comparative design based on secondary data, the study benchmarks Sri Lanka’s practices against global best practices. The findings reveal that despite advancements in early warning systems and digital communication technologies, the effectiveness of disaster information flow remains constrained by institutional fragmentation, weak interoperability, uneven access, and trust deficits. These limitations are particularly evident in last–mile communication and community responsiveness. The study argues that improving disaster information flow requires an integrated approach that combines governance reform, technological advancement, and social inclusion. It proposes strategic pathways focused on coordination, interoperability, inclusivity, and strengthened data governance to enhance disaster risk management in Sri Lanka.