Changing livelihoods among the second and third generations of settlers in System H of the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Project (AMDP) in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to identify the livelihood changes of the second and third generations of the original settlers in three different types of settlements in System H of the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Project (AMDP) in Sri Lanka. Due to changes in local, national and global situations in many spheres and in personal circumstances along with the changing conceptualizations of what constitutes a ‘good life’, many are forced to seek livelihood options which are different from previous generations. During the last two decades, several factors have affected the settlers, narrowing or constraining choices, presenting challenges to and opportunities for their survival, and forcing them to struggle to secure or change their livelihoods. Today, the different livelihood activities are linked upwards to the macro-level factors within the global economy and downwards to the local economy. The study reveals how the second and third generations negotiate different structures in order to survive and fulfil their aspirations and also how they are capable of tremendous resilience and can adjust to and act upon a wide range of changes. The conclusion drawn is that the AMDP settlers’ livelihoods are changing and these changes are no longer specific to the local context but similar to those in other rural areas of Sri Lanka.

Keywords:

• development-induced displacement
• global contexts
• good life
• livelihood change
• local contexts

I would like to thank Professor Ragnhild Lund for her helpful comments on the draft of this article and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive critiques. I also thank Catriona Turner for language assistance and Radmil Popovic for his assistance in preparing the maps.