Abstract:
The following study presents the different livelihood aspects of a rural poor population in a
remote district of Eastern Sri Lanka called Ampara district. The study examines the livelihood
pattern and their associated vulnerability and coping strategies, profile of livelihood assets and
gender differences in terms of livelihoods and assets. The study is based on the livelihood
approach and its framework. Non-farm wage employment activities were found to be important
livelihood strategy. Non-farm wage employment activities were depended on other agricultural
activities. Among the livelihood assets components, there were high deviations in value of those
holdings. Every kind of livelihood strategy of this studied sample is exposed to vulnerabilities.
Among the different kind of coping strategies adopted, adoption of future plans and ideas was at
low level. Gender differences in livelihood strategies reflect that female headed households were
mostly included in self employed group. Most of the male headed households were included
under non-farmwageemployment. It was also found that male headed households had significantly
higher value of assets than that of the female headed household. The qualitative and quantitative
measures presented in this study represent the different denotations of poverty which is rooted
in that society. People’s awareness, skill training on selected livelihood strategies for identified
groups, creating continuous employment to overcome the effect of vulnerabilities are important
means to ensure economic security in this area.
