THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF PROJECT AFFECTED AND RESETTLED FAMILIES DUE TO SOUTHERN TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY.

Abstract

The STDP is the largest among all the development projects that have been implemented in SriLanka during the recent past. This directly influences almost all sections of the economy whichis an essential factor of the development of a country. This project consists of a stretch ofl24kms, starting from Kottawa to Matara and runs through 64 GSD and 21 DSD within fourdistricts. A total of 5,683 persons on 951 hectares have been affected due to the construction ofthis project. The RIP is implemented by the RDA jointly with the ADB and 18IC. The affectedfamilies have been compensated by the government by granting money and lands. This studyexamines the livelihoods of the affected people of the STDP. The theme of the study is "How hasthe livelihood of project affected people improved as a result of resettlement by the SouthernTransport Development Project". The main objective of this study was to find out the livelihoodconditions of the resettled families due to the implementation of the STDP. Apart from that, thesub objectives of the study were to identify the sources of livelihood, to find out the extent ofmediation by the government and other organizations to develop these sources of livelihood, andto find out the present socio-economic conditions of the resettled people. Basically, surveymethod was used for this study while a comparative method too was utilized. A questionnairetechnique, interview technique and an observation technique were used to collect data, inaddition secondary data have been used.Analyzing of collected data of the study revealed that the areas of the resettled people have notbeen changed so much. When their sources of livelihood are considered, it is not so satisfactoryand has dropped in with time. Most of them have built comfortable houses by using thecompensatory funds. However, the resettlement has directly affected in disrupting the businessrelationships of the self-employed businessmen. Obtaining loans by resettled families is high andmost of them have obtained loans to build houses and not for investments. The RDA hasintervened to upgrade their livelihoods. However, it has given priority only to counseling ratherthan practical programmes. The members of resettled families are happy with the existingeducation and religious relations. But they are not satisfied with the political institute. Whentaken as a whole, they are happy with the existing social security of the area. A systematicprogramme is required to upgrade the status of these people with the mediation of thegovernment and Non-Governmental Organizations by focusing special attention on SecondIncome Generators and self-employees. And also it should be emphasized that the governmentshould prepare a plan to resolve the problems of land ownership and any problems that could befaced by the second generation in the future. In addition, the condition of the sources oflivelihood of the resettled families could be upgraded by creating a suitable environment whichwould be helpful in creating positive attitudes among the resettled families.