Sustainability of participatory development projects in local government areas of Sri Lanka: the cases of Community Governance Projects in Nikaweratiya and Navithanvelli Divisional councils

Abstract

Today, the development scientists of all over the world have to pay their attention about the sustainability of the development projects in various levels and the scales of development process. Approaches of Inclusiveness and participatory methods have been practiced commonly in developed and developing world with many arguments. Participatory development approaches and the methodologies are not new to Sri Lanka. Traditionally and historically participation for decision making process in human-wellbeing was inherited for Sri Lankans. In the hydrologic civilization which has developed by with Buddhist philosophy, people?s participation is natural and common habits of the ancient people of the country. The sustainability of the infrastructure facilities which built by people are highly assured for many generations through many centuries with high efficiency and high productivity. The tank (wewa) systems and the other irrigation systems in Sri Lanka are the best examples. This great sustainable process has been collapsed by colonization process under Europeans especially British. In the recent past, especially after independence, Through the IRDP reintroduced participatory development approach to Sri Lanka. Due to many reasons it was failed. After, some NGOs have been practicing these approaches to local level development in many districts. Under the Gami Diriya Rural Development Program, the present government has also tried to reintroduce the participatory approach to assure the sustainability of Development process. This paper examines relationship between the sustainability and participatory approach of Community Governance. This is a five year community governance project from 2009 to 2013 cofounded by the Eruption Union (EU) and implemented by Practical Action and Divisional Councils of Nikaweratiya in Kurunegala District and Navithanvelli in Ampara District. The few concept and approach are commonly referring with the subject on community participation in deferent levels. Among them Community governance is a leading concept for create the local level platform among the community, local authorities and other stakeholders. This approach is giving opportunities community to get take part on their development requirements in all the stages of the project cycle. The community governance approach is creating an opportunity to local planner and development actors to get active community participation in local development for future sustainability of projects? outcome. Also the community governance approach is creating a native platform on decision making in local authorities.