• Post-tsunami Research in Sri Lanka

Socio-economic study: UNU-EHS is currently carrying out a number of complementary studies in Sri Lanka in the wider context of vulnerability. One of those studies focuses on the socio-economic assessment of two coastal districts that were heavily affected by the tsunami: Galle (Singhalese) and Batticaloa (Tamil).

The study shall assess and compare what economic sectors and activities are represented in each district and if there are social, ethnic, or religious patterns in the economic footprint of the district. Also, key development characteristics shall be assessed such as education, water&sanitation, health provision etc.

The study will compare the situation before the tsunami with the situation after the tsunami and will try to quantify how various groups and economic sectors are recovering. Depending on data availability the most successful coping strategies shall be identified. The study is based on local data collections (translated from Singhalese and Tamil) as well as expert interviews. The study is carried out in collaboration with the Eastern University (Batticaloa) and the University of Colombo.