Examining the Influence of Rural Road Network Development on Livelihood - A Case Study on Kilinochchi District

Abstract

TThe population of Sri Lanka, an island country in the Asian zone, is projected to be about 22 million in mid-2030. In Sri Lanka, the transportation economy plays a significant role. Roads provide the benefits to enhance the socio-economic conditions of communities. Roads are linked to locations, individuals, and social and economic activities. Better road conditions promote better connections between rural and social and economic activities. While rural road investment is widely believed to reduce poverty, there has been little systematic analysis or evidence on whether rural roads affect people experiencing poverty or the impact. After the war ended in 2008, the government carried out some road projects nationwide. Kilinochchi district is also not exceptional. This study focused only on rural roads and how they relate to livelihood. A questionnaire survey was conducted, covering four dimensions; impact on (i) Transportation Services, (ii) Traveling Patterns, (iii) Village Profile, and (iv) Income and Welfare before and after the road projects in Kilinochchi District. One hundred twenty-two families were selected for the research. For the change in the aesthetic value of the village after the road development, none of the respondents rated it as reduced or reduced dramatically. Around 100 respondents accepted that school connectivity has significantly improved after road development. The study proves that road development positively impacts people’s social and economic practices.