The Endemic Socio-Economic Issues of Widowed Female Headed Families in Rural Areas of Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper explains the outcomes of the Udawalawa Multi-Purposes Development Programme (UMPDP) which has implemented in 1963. The UPMPDP has implemented under river valley development approach with o6 major objectives. This study clearly point out the progress of these objectives and the new trends in the programme area.The Udawalawa is the second multipurposes development project in Sri Lanka. The programme has covered the rehabilitation and upgrading of 62,803 ha. and 21873 ha. Has newly been irrigated. A total benefitted family of the programme is 63,522. The results of the study reveals that the industries which were implemented under the project were collapsed except Sevanagala Sugar factory and Thimbolketiya Timber mill. Hydropower generation is very successful because 2450 MW has produced by two hydro power plant in 2014. The programme has directly and indirectly generated new job opportunities in the area. By 2014, 258,388 hectares were distributed among poor farmers for agriculture. Even though, the project has planned to mitigate the frequent floods in the area, the settlers still suffer the problem. As a new trend tourism is becoming one of the major income source because of Udawalawa elephant orphanage and Udawalawa Wild Life Park. The study is based on primary and secondary data and information. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, focused group discussions, field observations and key informant discussions. For collecting the primary data, Moraketiya Grama Niladari Division has selected and 50 families were interviewed. Both qualitative and quantitative data analyse techniques were applied.