The Post-Tsunami Community Voice was set up with the funding of the World Bank to give voice to the views of the community on the Tsunami devastation and reconstruction and on economic, governance, and social accountability of the community. The project was carried out in Batticaloa and Galle districts as a closed group discussion. The selected people were divided into groups according to age, geography, and employment. Thus, the three groups in the age division consisted of one of people over forty-five years, another of those less than forty-five, and a final group of both age groups. They were chosen as representatives of all the people of the respective areas. Organizers of the project took priority to choose people who have shown leadership in these areas in the post-Tsunami reconstruction. In the project in the Northeast, all ethnicities and religions were represented. The research was conducted by the Research Consultancy Bureau, Sri Lanka.
>> Click here to download the Report on Post-Tsunami Voice of the Community Leaders
The report is a result of a study of post-Tsunami community through voices of formal and
informal community leaders. The study discusses the impact of the 100/200metre rule in
the economic and social context. Instead of the commonly used approach of survey
methods in understanding trends and attitudes, the study used qualitative methodologies
as a form of retrospective and prospective analysis of comments by modified focus
groups. The findings, therefore, explain how actions of decision-makers, providers of
assistance and receivers have affected the post-Tsunami situation in the East and South as
at August 2005. The research draws attention to the manner in which the rule is imposed
and how it has impacted on the livelihood of the people. Further it gives possible answers
to lesser economic development in the areas affected by the Tsunami. Finally the research
discusses change in value system in the community and accountability of providers of
assistance.