The change of information needs of Vedda community, in the face of social changes (A study based on the Dambana Vedda village)

Abstract

Society faces constant changes. Every physical object and human being is subject to change directly or indirectly. Information can be identified as one aspect that changes in parallel to social changes. Human activities in society change according to the information that is available. The native inhabitants in a country gain special recognition due to the attempts made in order to preserve their unique culture and traditions in the face of the changing social system. No one can escape from social change and this universal truth is applicable to the Veddah community too. They can be identified as an extinct group in the civilized society. Their society is changed due to various factors. The aim of this research is to study how the information need has changed in the Veddah community due to social changes. The study was based on the Dambana Veddah village. The study was done with the objectives to identify how the Veddah society was subject to change, the nature of their information needs compared with social changes, the communication methods they use when obtaining information and the the issues faced. 50 informants responded to the questionnaire. In addition to this, observations and interviews were conducted to obtain data. In analyzing data, percentages were presented using charts and graphs. The findings revealed that, due to the social changes their information need has also changed, and just as the simple life changed to a complex one, their information need has also become complex. It also revealed that the community faces issues such as lack of communication media, lack of electricity, low literacy among elderly generation and lack of info sources. The following solutions were provided in the research such as; providing houses with electricity, increasing information sources with the help of various organizations, increasing literacy, increasing the collection of information resource centers and train the employers.