Centre for Social Reconciliation (CSR)

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Empowering Minority Communities in Kaluwankerny and Thiraimadu, Batticaloa District

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Batticaloa District

The Centre for Social Reconciliation (CSR) of Eastern University, Sri Lanka, initiated a community-based project titled “Empowering Minority Communities in Kaluwankerny and Thiraimadu, Batticaloa District.” The project was funded by the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) and aimed at promoting social reconciliation while strengthening the socio-economic well-being of marginalized communities.

Project Framework

The project was originally designed as a five-phase intervention strategy, structured sequentially to ensure evidence-based and community-responsive implementation. The framework sought to address critical issues such as:

  • Poverty and limited livelihood opportunities
  • Illegal liquor brewing and substance abuse
  • Early marriage
  • High rates of family separation
  • Limited access to essential services

The approach emphasized holistic, culturally sensitive, and sustainable interventions tailored to community-specific needs.

ONUR approved funding for the first two phases:

Phase I – Baseline Survey

  • Phase II – Mobile Clinic

Phase I – Baseline Survey (Completed)

Phase I was successfully implemented in the selected project areas. The Baseline Survey aimed to:

  • Assess socio-economic and health conditions of the target communities
  • Identify priority needs and structural vulnerabilities
  • Generate reliable data to guide subsequent interventions

The survey examined the socio-economic realities, community relations, and reconciliation-related needs of the Burgher and Vedda minority communities in the Batticaloa District. While these communities maintain distinct cultural identities, findings revealed structural vulnerabilities, limited economic opportunities, and marginalization within local development processes.

The survey underscored the importance of:

Targeted livelihood development

  • Youth empowerment initiatives
  • Community engagement mechanisms
  • Culturally sensitive reconciliation interventions

The findings now serve as an evidence-based foundation for designing sustainable and context-specific programmes aimed at promoting social cohesion and equitable development.

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Figure 1 A group of undergraduate Enumerators from EUSL
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Figure 2 capture the structured training sessions conducted for undergraduate students enumerators.

Field Instructions

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Figure 3 documents the field orientation session where enumerators received final instructions prior to data collection. This phase ensured clarity on field protocols, respondent engagement, and data quality assurance.

Focus Group Discussions with Community Members

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Figures 4-9 present focus group discussions conducted with community members in Kaluwankerny and Thiraimadu. These discussions provided qualitative insights into community needs, social issues, and perceptions relevant to the project objectives.
 

Door-to-Door Household Survey Activities

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Figures 10 and 15 show door-to-door household survey activities carried out by trained enumerators. This phase constituted the core quantitative data collection process of the baseline survey.
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About us

The Eastern University, Sri Lanka, was established on the 01st of October 1986 by a University Order dated 26th September 1986 issued under Section 2 of the Universities Act No: 16 of 1978.

Contact Us

Reception

Eastern University, Sri Lanka Vantharumoolai,
Chenkalady
Tel: +94 65-2240490,2240590
Fax: +94 65-2240730
E-mail: receptions@esn.ac.lk