Development Discourse of Minor Tank Villages in Sri Lanka: A Case Study of Three Minor Tank Villages in Anuradhapura District

- Minor tank villages in Sri Lanka have historically survived as agricultural villages. Yet, today, these villages remain as inherently poverty trodden rural settlements despite different policy efforts of development. Addressing the Marxian analysis of under development, this study critically analyses the present conditions and the interpretation of development of these villages. The research questions of the study are On what basis can development of these villages be assessed In which direction are the infrastructure and the institutional environment of these villages heading What are the issues of development discourse in minor tank villages What are the factors that have influenced the situation of these villages What is the most appropriate development model for these villages The study is inductive and the multiple research method is used for both information gathering and in analyzing the problem. Using the purposive and stratified sampling methods the villages of Mahakumbukgollewa, Gonewa and Thalattewa in the Anuradhapura district were selected for the study. Surveys, participatory observations, focus group discussions and in-depth studies were the main types of investigations. The participants for the focus group discussions were selected under snowball sampling method. Further, randomly selected fifty families from each of the three villages were investigated by using a pre-tested questionnaire to assess the present livelihood of the minor tank village community. Based on macro and micro level information of the sample villages, a cohort analysis and a historiographical analysis were done. The study found that the village community has been further marginalized and intertwined with new socioeconomic hazards despite physical and socio-economic changes. The literature of the subject reveals that many of the development models including the concept of sustainable development are theoretically as well as empirically alienated because as there is no constructive base that is compatible with the contextual configurations of the community. Analyzing the contextual configurations of minor tank villages and their heritage, an economic model leading to spiritual development is identified. This model is incorporated a theoretical base by linking the spiritual path of Buddhism predominant in the community with the concept of collectiveness described in Marxism. Here, ontological and epistemological factors are addressed in filtering the life philosophy at individual and community level. The new model is applicable against marginalization and the challenges of development at the levels of individuals, family, village, the cascade of tank villages and the community. Empirical studies are recommended for testing of the model for verification.