THE ROLE OF THE SRI LANKAN ARMY IN POST-DISASTER SITUATIONS IN TERMS OF PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

This studys primary purpose is to identify the factors affecting Sri Lankan military personnels behavioural patterns while providing humanitarian assistance in post-disaster situations. The study has used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Interviews were done with a few military personalities in a qualitative approach, and the answers were analysed using discourse analysis. The researcher has used a structured questionnaire in the quantitative method. A sample size of 308 military personalities has participated. Independent two-sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and structural equational modelling were used. The main factors of the research, which are attitude towards behaviour, social norms, self-efficacy, knowledge and practice, were identified using the discourse analysis method. Gender, training gained by the military personnel, difficulties encountered by them, and their work experience years failed to affect humanitarian assistance significantly. In structural equational modelling, social norms, knowledge, and practice significantly affected humanitarian aid. However, attitude towards behaviour and self-efficacy did not show any significant effect on humanitarian assistance. This study will provide the necessary information for policymakers and military institutions in Sri Lanka to develop military personnel skills in post-disaster situations. Moreover, this researchs findings will help the individuals, especially the researchers, conduct studies in the same field.