Resettlement and its challenges confronting normal life: a study of Keppapilavu people resettled in Seeniyamoddai model village

Abstract

Aftermath of civil war in Sri Lanka, many resettlement projects were carried out by the government, especially in the North and the Eastern provinces with the support of donor agencies. The model village is also constructed and handed over to the public use in Seeniyamoddai area of Mullaitivu district where many people were resettled including Keppapilavu villagers. Even though the Kappapilavu people were resettled, they are facing numerous challenges to come back to their normal life. This paper aimed at understanding the challenges confronting normal life of Keppapilavu people those who were already settled in Seeniyamoddai model village with certain facilities consequently. Thus, the data for this research were gathered from primary as well as secondary sources. Interview with five respondents; and two focus group discussion were conducted for collecting primary data, and secondary data have collected from newspapers, previously conducted researches and electronic sources. This study found that many challenges faced by the Keppapilavu people to return their normal life. According to the findings they seriously facing lot of difficulties, such as; land issue (nearly 279 acres of land is now administered by the military forces); their economy is depends and livelihood also seriously affected; many women-headed families has been increased; lack of education, health and other infrastructure facilities; and psycho-social challenges including disability, missing-persons and other war traumas reminding their passed devastation. Though, this situation creates numerous problems among the Keppapilavu people in this study area and they are highly threatened to health hazards and social risks. Thus, this study need to be extended in order to find new result and put forward new recommendations to the policy makers in future.