Post-war socio-economic development in the Eastern province: a case study of Ampara district

Abstract

This study aims to review the progress of post-war development programs and projects in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka. After three decades of armed confrontations, the Sri Lankan civil war ended in East in 2007 with the military defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). A protracted conflict and war lead to the destruction of the economy and normal live of the people and slowdown the development process of the country. With the end of the war, many projects were allocated to the Ampara district, estimated to cost several thousand million rupees. The government implemented road construction, irrigation, cultivation, educational, water supply, housing, health, electricity, fishery, economic development, social upliftment, administrative projects while the country was enmeshed in a horrendous war. The study reveals that post-war socio-economic development projects of the government enhance all sectors in the district. It also promotes life of the people and, allows them to participate in the socio-economic development of the area. The data are gathered from literature and the broader discussions with stakeholders on socio-economic development process of the district.