A team from the Sabaragamuwa University carried out a survey for several months before the floods came.

Their report of findings is due to be handed over to the president and the prime minister.

During the previous regime, land reclamation was carried out on a mass scale through political influence.

The survey points the finger at land sale companies as well.

The university team will look into the possibility of getting compensation for the flood-affected from those companies.

Environment Conservation Trust’s Sajeeva Chamikara said reclamation of marshland, construction of highways by blocking waterbodies and human settlements in river and canal reservations have caused the floods.

Main among these marshlands were Attidiya in Bellanwila, Sri Jayewardenepura, Wellampitiya, Mulleriyawa and Muthurajawela.

Land sale companies had filled marshlands to build houses at Haramanis Road and Vikumpura in Attidiya, he noted.