Livelihood development and villege dwellers in Jaffna-A case study

This study emphasizes the importance of governmental and non-governmental support for livelihood development of village dwellers through encouraging people participation in possible ways. In the post war scenario of Jaffna, the rural development for sustainable livelihood activities was impressed by all the developmental planners. This articles which based on social anthropological fieldwork in a village in Jaffna peninsula, Sri Lanka during the later part of 2010, explores the role of livelihood programme for the rural development in the rural poverty alleviations. The main thrust of this study is to discuss (1) the physical and social background of the village, (2) the nature of activities for the uplifting of their livelihood, and (3) analyze the contributions made by the government and non government sectors in relation to uplifting. This research finding indicate that about 70 percent of the population are living below the poverty level without any outside help or only a minimum assistance for their development. This study concludes with the concept of social capital which is a key factor for livelihood development and social exclusion which is a barrier for livelihood uplifting in this village and suggests that the measures to be taken to reduce this condition of the people.