Abstract:
Researchers in the field of environmental justice are widely focused on policy studies on
mainstreaming environmental rights of vulnerable communities and their social movements. This
research is placed in the Sri Lankan context where very limited research studies were undertaken to
address the environmental rights of vulnerable populations and their responses. The research so far
contends the notion that recognizes these people as passive recipients of environmental injustice who
were compelled to be silent as they represent the bottom layer of social power pyramids. Instead, this
study emphasizes such community groups as active respondents who react continuously to get-rid-of
their vulnerability.
This study has built on the empirical evidence of two community groups which reside inside an
annual flood prone area and adjacent to a solid waste disposal site, respectively. The empirical
evidence was collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, in-depth
interviews and direct observations.
Findings of the study revealed that many of these residents are not capable of avoiding the occurrence
of floods and pollution but they make strong attempts to save their lives, assets and livelihoods from
being affected. Many such responses are small interventions, which do not significantly change events
but are continuous efforts. Further, though this community is relatively weak in power yet there are
many powerful actors involved with them who either suppress or praise the community actions. It is
important to understand the level of ability to respond and the way of responding of these
communities in order to empower them in urban planning practices. This research finding partially
answers the failure of resettlement schemes made by planners for vulnerable urban groups as they all
know that they are vulnerable, yet settle down in these locations by choice and attempt to cope with
whatever comes their way.
