An Investigation of the Sustainable Livelihood Considerations for the IDP Women of

Batticaloa (Sri Lanka) from an Entrepreneurial Perspective

ABSTRACT

Intensification of forced population displacements as an onslaught of ethnic conflicts and human

rights violation negatively affected the socio-economic status of many South Asian countries. Sri

Lankan IDP population escalated at a soaring rate subsequent to the historical military triumph

over Tamil Eelam (Civil War) rebellions. Cataclysms of the prolonged insurgence disrupted

livelihood activities thus imposing socio-economic impediments amidst thousands of displaced

people.

Among the affected, women were considered as most vulnerable. Owing to the loss of their

counterpart family burdens shifted on their shoulders, in making them the de facto heads of

households. These women engaged in numerous entrepreneurial activities in diverse sectors of

the economy in order to supplement their families. Unfortunately, the outbreak of Eelam war 3

erupting from Eastern Sri Lanka destroyed many of their livelihoods.

Despite such trauma women of Batticaloa (North-eastern part of Sri Lanka) the sample under

study were recently resettled from IDP camps to their previous villages. These women

entrepreneurs found nothing than war ruins on their return hence, facing immense constraints to

continue their livelihood activities as addressed in this report, hence the author on the following

sub section of this reports enlightens its readers on the current initiatives taken by the

government/INGOs, there issues and remedies upon viewing the problems of women

entrepreneurs from all possible viewpoints.