Ampara District Research Articles

A Preliminary investigation on milk quality in Ampara District of Sri Lanka

A Preliminary investigation on milk quality in Ampara District of Sri Lanka

Application of Geospatial Technology for Wetlands’ Mapping and Change-Detection: A Case Study in Selected Areas of South Eastern Coast in Ampara District, Sri Lanka

In global context, the anthropogenic pressure increases the loss of wetland and its resources. Wetlands and estuaries are highly productive and act as critical habitats for a variety of plants, fish, shellfish, and other wildlife (Klemas, 2011). The detection and evaluation of the wetland with modern technology is an important phenomenon to conserve the wetland area and its ecosystem. Remote sensing (RS) has a long history of successful applications within the field of wetland delineation, using a multitude of satellite platforms and sensors (Allan, 2016). This paper is an attempt to object-based approach to derive the change detection inventory information of wetland for selected administrative areas of South Eastern coast in Ampara District within the period of 1991 to 2017 using Toposheets and Google Earth imagery. Further, it also explores the human activities which pressure on wetland including agricultural practices (land encroachment), new settlements, solid waste dumping, land cover changes and etc. Google Earth imagery of 1991 and 2017 were collected and subjected to the GIS analysis to find the result of this study. According to the results, agricultural and built-up area has increased in 1991 by (9.4 per cent), 2017 (16.4 per cent) and 1991 (0.1 per cent), 2017 (2.1 per cent) respectively whereas there has been a decrease in the forest and wetland areas in the years of 1991 (80.3 per cent), 2017 (72.7 per cent) and 1991 (3.5 per cent), 2017 (2.9 per cent) respectively.

Social, Economic and Environment Sustainability of Food Crop Production Systems: Sugarcane vs. Maize Production

Knowledge and technological inputs have played a significant role in the process of agrarian transformation of low input subsistence farming to high input commercial systems. The said transformation took place at a varying degree and nature owing to policy interests of successive governments though succeeded in meeting the growing food demand it eventually led to serious socio-economic and environmental implications and made food crop production systems (FCCPSs) more unsustainable. Many of them are irreversible and restoring the lost socio-economic values and degraded eco systems are challenging. Therefore, it has been a greater challenge today to achieving key sustainable development goals - Zero Poverty and No Hunger- while making FCPSs of small farmers sustainable. Identification of and encouraging wide-spread adoption of sustainable FCPSs is a must for that reason where policy directives could play a significant role. This study analyses and presents how effective are the agricultural sustainability indices as decision tools in the above mission. Primary data collected from two rain-fed FCPSs –maize and sugarcane- in the South East Dry Zone of Sri Lanka (SEDZ) in 2016 were used to assess the sustainability indices based on ten variables representing social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability of the FCPSs. The sample involved 149 farmers from Pelawatta sugarcane settlement scheme in Monaragala District and 130 maize farmers from Monaragala and Ampara districts. Additional data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. The results of the study showed that, both crops demonstrates approximately equally in social (SSI: maize - 0.566, sugarcane – 0.562) and environmental terms (ESI: maize – 0.260 and sugarcane – 0.259). Use of agrochemicals for weed control and fertilizer to compensate depleting soil fertility has become inescapable in both crops. Crop yield reduction owing to poor quality planting material is a major implication too. However, sugarcane is financially better off (FSI: 0.491) than maize (FSI: 0.342). Among the contributing variables were; higher contribution to family income (70 percent) and considerably high productivity (18850 kg/ac/yr) in compared to that of maize – 38 percent and 1764 kg of maize/ac/yr respectively. Currently there is a growing interest towards the expansion of croplands for both crops yet, the government is indecisive on the allocation of precious land resources. Therefore, the implications of the study contributes further dimensions to face the challenge of ending hunger and poverty through allocating land and other resources towards promoting sustainable FCPSs. Keywords: Agrarian transformation, Food crops, Sustainability, Policy directives, Resource allocation

Challenges of Population Growth on Agricultural Land in South Eastern Coastal Areas of Ampara District in Sri Lanka

Rapid population growth is a global concern, particularly in developing countries. It has become challengeable in the backdrop of the availability of agricultural land. The coastal areas of Ampara District are densely populated and that during the post tsunami and post war periods, the new settlements increased rapidly in these areas. This new phenomenon caused a series of problems including the demand for agricultural areas being increased and the lands filled for the purpose of re-settlement and constructions. This study explores a) to find the challenges of population growth on the availability of agricultural lands, b) to find the correlation between population growth and the loss of agricultural lands, and c) to provide strategies to manage the land use for the sustainable development. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. For this purpose, by using GIS 10.5 software, land use map was created to delineate the contrasts between the agricultural areas and built up land. The finding of the study revealed that the rapid population growth in the coastal areas of Ampara District has negatively impacted on the availability of the agricultural land.

Functional gastrointestinal diseases and psychological maladjustment, personality traits and quality of life

BackgroundChronic abdominal pain is a common worldwide problem and known to be associated with psychological problems. This study evaluated the association between abdominal pain-predominant functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP-FGIDs), psychological maladjustment and personality traits in adolescents.MethodsAdolescents aged 13–18 years were recruited from 5 randomly selected schools in Ampara district of Sri Lanka. AP-FGIDs were diagnosed using Rome III criteria. Translated and validated Rome III questionnaire (Child report form), personality questionnaire (PAQ) and PedsQL (Pediatric Quality of Life) inventory were used in data collection. Written consent was obtained from a parent and assent was obtained from every child recruited. The questionnaire was distributed in an examination setting to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Research assistants were present during data collection to assist on any necessary clarifications.ResultsA total of 1697 subjects were recruited [males 779 (45.9%), mean age 15.1 years, SD 1.6 years]. AP-FGIDs were present in 202 (11.9%). Those with AP-FGIDs had significantly higher mean scores for all personality traits (hostility and aggression, negative self-esteem, emotional unresponsiveness, emotional instability and negative world view), except dependency. Affected children had lower scores for all 4 domains of HRQoL (physical, emotional, social and school functioning), compared to controls (p < 0.05). When the cut off value for Sri Lankan children (89) was used, 66.3% with AP-FGIDs and 48.2% controls had PAQ scores within that of psychological maladjustment (p < 0.001). When the international normative value of 105 was used, these percentages were 27.2% and 14.2% respectively (p < 0.0001). The scores obtained for PAQ negatively correlated with scores obtained for HRQoL (r = − 0.52, p < 0.0001). One hundred and seventeen adolescents with AP-FGIDs (57.9%) had sought healthcare for their symptoms. Healthcare consulters had higher PAQ and lower HRQoL scores (p < 0.05).ConclusionsAdolescents with AP-FGIDs have more psychological maladjustment and abnormal personality traits than healthy controls. Affected adolescents with higher psychological maladjustments have lower HRQoL. Greater psychological maladjustment and lower HRQoL are associated with healthcare seeking behaviour in adolescents with AP-FGIDs.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to brucellosis and factors affecting knowledge sharing on animal diseases: a cross-sectional survey in the dry zone of Sri Lanka.

Farmers' lack of knowledge is assumed to have affected the presence of brucellosis in Sri Lanka for decades. This study, carried out in the Ampara district in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, revealed that there is a significant knowledge gap for brucellosis compared to foot and mouth disease (FMD) (p < 0.001). Only 8.3% of farmers knew that brucellosis causes cattle abortions. Only 2.6% knew that it is zoonotic. The difference in knowledge of the symptoms and transmission of brucellosis and FMD was significant (p < 0.001). Farmers' attitudes and practices related to the spread of the disease were poor. Farmers' education and spoken language had a negative influence on knowledge. Young people and those with strong social relationships were efficient in knowledge sharing. It can be concluded that brucellosis knowledge, attitudes, and practices are poor; thus, there is a need for more attention in disease control policymaking. Backward farmer groups should be the focus in animal health extension programs.

Community level indicators of long term disaster recovery

The experience of individuals, families and communities affected by a major disaster is indicative of the nature of the diverse effects of the disaster and how various interventions, both state and non-state, help or do not help affected communities to recover from the adverse effects of the disaster. An important step in understanding disaster recovery is to define and measure it. However, no such wide-ranging, inclusive and well accepted method of measuring recovery at the community scale currently exists. This paper reports on field work carried out as part of a longer-term study aimed at developing a more integrated, holistic assessment of the disaster recovery process. Using qualitative data from a sample of communities in Sri Lanka affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the study refines and validates a multidimensional assessment framework for monitoring and evaluating recovery processes after a disaster. An earlier study focused on ten communities in Galle, Batticaloa and Ampara districts. This study adopts the same multidimensional assessment framework and indicators, but focuses on ten different communities across Matara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts. After examining the recovery process in a significant number of communities over a long period of time, and across twenty communities during two major field studies, the results suggest that the assessment framework has captured the ten most important dimensions of recovery. Since post disaster recovery usually involves a process of resettlement of affected families and individuals, more attention needs to be paid to more vulnerable groups such as children and women, as well important aspects of well- being such as livelihoods, housing, social infrastructure and long-term maintenance of infrastructure. The framework indicators capture these aspects but also the determinants of the nature and level of recovery, indicating the possible precautionary measures to avoid significant shortfalls in recovery in the long term.

Constructing and Index to Measure the Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change in Sri Lanka

Abstract Climate change is considered as the major threat to the human beings in the future. Vulnerability to the climate change refers to the potential of a system to be harmed by an external threat and it is a function of exposure, sensitivity to impacts and the ability or lack of ability to cope or adapt. Adaptive capacity (AC) represents the ability of a region or community to cope with and thrive in the face of change. In this context, an attempt has been made to construct indexes to measure the adaptive capacity using five assets as economic, social, human, physical and natural. The data were obtained from Sri Lanka Household and Expenditure Survey covering 25000 households. One purpose of this research is to demonstrate a method of aggregating adaptive capacity indicators that result in a composite index. Indicators of Adaptive capacity are developed and a Weighted Principal Components Analysis (WPCA) is performed on assets. Households, who are dominantly dependent upon several resources, have always been adjusting their livelihood against the vagaries of climate. Multiple Factor Analysis for Mixed Data (FAMD) is used to handle the household data. As output shown in the analysis that the positive relationship between adaptive capacity and social assets are clearly followed by economic assets and physical assets, but human assets have been attributed a negative association. Batticaloa, Jaffna, Ampara, Moneragala, Trincomalee, Vavuniya and Puttlam districts had lower adaptive capacity, along with Colombo and Gampaha had a higher level of adaptive capacity. Furthermore, inter-household analysis of AC indicate that the poor households with less recourses are risky anywhere, irrespective of where they are located. Policy measures and development efforts should be focused towards improving the AC of the less owners of the assets.

Identifying the role of agricultural extension services in improving technical efficiency in the paddy farming sector in Sri Lanka

The overall aim of this study is to identify the role of agricultural extension services in improving technical efficiency in the rice farming sector in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the study attempts to investigate how the agricultural extension service received by the farmers can improve technical efficiency (TE), using 200 farm-level data points in Ampara district in Sri Lanka. The Stochastic Production Frontier approach is used to estimate technical efficiency. Results show that the mean TE of rice farming in the study area is 0.61, although 54 % of rice farmers exceeded this average. This indicates that there is scope to further increase the output by 39 percent without increasing the level of input. It is also found that the contribution of the agricultural officers on increasing technical efficiency level is approximately 13 percent. This implies that production of paddy could be increased significantly by increasing the role of agricultural officers in the country. The overall findings of this research will help implement policies to increase the technical efficiency which is increasingly posing a major impediment to agricultural growth, environmental protection and sustainable development in any country.

An outbreak of Haemorrhagic septicaemia in the navithanveli veterinary range in Ampara District, Sri Lanka

Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) is a major diseases of bovines in Sri Lanka before 2005. The disease is endemic in dry zone where clinical incidences occur with the onset of monsoon. An outbreak of HS occurred in twenty 1-3 year old local buffaloes of which 15 died, in mid-October 2016 in Navithanveli veterinary range in Ampara District. The disease continued and another 13 buffaloes and 3 cattle died. Clinical and necropsy findings and laboratory identification confirmed that the causative organism was Pasrerella multocida serotype B:2. Outbreak was controlled with treatment and vaccination of all susceptible animals. This is the first report of the re-emergence of P. multocida after 2000 in Ampara district.

Association of farmers’ socio-economics with bovine brucellosis epidemiology in the dry zone of Sri Lanka

The aim of the study was to investigate the farmers’ socio-economic factors and their association with Brucella prevalence in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional survey was planned and a total of 1,153 blood samples were collected from milking and dry animals of 155 farms from three selected veterinary ranges of Kalmunai, Navithanveli, and Mahaoya in the Ampara district, which is a multi-ethnic area. The Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) were used for the Brucella screening and confirmation, respectively. Socio-economic attributes such as family income, poverty, education, main job, ethnicity, parent farmer, farming experience, and training in animal husbandry were determined as potential farmer-level risk factors. Meanwhile, herd size, grazing practice, breeding method, animal brought-in to the farm, and abortions were considered as herd factors. The results revealed that the overall animal level sero-prevalence of brucellosis was 2.7% (35/1153; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7, 3.7%) and the herd prevalence was 9.6% (15/155; 95% CI: 5.7, 15.7%) in the area of study. Brucellosis prevalence varies significantly (p<0.001) among the selected veterinary ranges with the highest herd prevalence in Kalmunai (20.0%) followed by Navithanveli (11.9%) and Mahaoya (2.7%). Disease prevalence showed variability (p<0.001) among ethnicities with the highest in Muslims (27.3%) followed by Tamils (8.1%) and Sinhalese (2.7%). Poverty was highly associated (OR=3.75; 95% CI: 1.43-10.00) with the disease. Free movement grazing practices (p<0.01) with OR=7.2 and animal brought-in from outside (p<0.06) with OR=3.06 were positively related to brucellosis. It was revealed that farmers’ socio-economics, such as ethnicity and poverty, and animal movement patterns, such as grazing practices are significantly associated with epidemiology of brucellosis in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the “farmer factor” should be carefully considered in veterinary epidemiological studies and animal disease control plans in the future.

An Ecological Assessment of the Panama Lagoon Complex, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

The Panama lagoon is located in, Ampara District, on the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka. This relatively small brackish water lagoon spans over an area of less than 1.5 km2, but encompasses variety of habitat types ranging from natural and semi-natural habitats to modified habitats by humans, thus performing an important ecological role. Biogeographically, Panama lagoon area falls under floristic regions I and II i.e. Coastal and Marine Belt and Dry and Arid Lowlands. It further belongs to the bioclimatic region B: Dry Zone. Field investigations carried out during the period of August to December, 2015 identified 11 major natural and man-made habitat types, including terrestrial, aquatic and semi-aquatic systems. Natural terrestrial habitats included scrublands, dry mixed evergreen forests, rock outcrop vegetation, and sand dunes. Anthropogenic terrestrial habitats were predominantly represented by chena/crop cultivations and home gardens. Natural wetland habitats included sea shore vegetation, salt marsh, mangrove and lagoon, while paddy fields represented anthropogenic wetland habitats. The plant species recorded included 41 trees, 47 shrubs, 92 herbs, 25 climbers including lianas and epiphytes. Recorded flowering plants included 160 native species (77%) with 2 endemic species (1%). Due to the high human influences on the environment, numerous alien species were found in the terrestrial habitats of the lagoon. There were 43 introduced species (exotics) (20.6%) recorded. Introduced species included 3 invasive alien species and 27 naturalized exotics. Seven (3.36%) nationally threatened plant species were recorded from the area. It includes 4 Nationally Endangered (EN) and 3 Nationally Vulnerable (VU) species. The study site also has 19 Nationally Near-Threatened (NT) species. Rapid faunal assessment undertaken to cover all habitat types in and around the lagoon recorded a total of 242 faunal species. This included 23 mammals, 128 birds, 25 reptiles, 7 amphibians, 35 butterfly species and 23 dragonfly species. Out of the total 242 faunal species recorded, 214 were native to the country (88.4%) while 7 species are listed as endemic (2.9%). There were 14 nationally threatened faunal species recorded in the study area which included 4 mammals, 6 birds, and 4 insect species (butterflies and dragonflies). A considerable area of the lagoon complex has been already subjected to human influences such as agriculture and residential developments, causing substantial threats to lagoon ecological resources. As Panama lagoon is a rich repository of native biodiversity, and an important habitat for migrant birds, it is imperative that the entire system is sustainably managed to achieve a balance between conservation and utilization. Keywords: Panama lagoon, Biodiversity, Dry zone, Floral diversity, Faunal diversity

Comparison of ultrasound fetal biometry of singleton fetuses with a reference chart in pregnant women with normal nutritional and health status

The aim of this study was to compare fetal biometry of singleton fetuses in pregnant women with normal nutritional and health status in the Ampara district, with a commonly used reference chart. A cross sectional study was carried out in the Ampara District. Women with normal nutritional and health status and minimal environmental constraints on fetal growth (n=714) were enrolled during the first trimester and gestational age was confirmed by fetal crown-rump length measurement between 11 weeks + 0 days and 13 weeks + 6 days. For this study, each mother was considered only once for measurement of fetal biometry, at gestations between 11 and 41 weeks. Fetal bi-parietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were measured using standard techniques, and separate regression models were fitted to estimate the means and standard deviations and derive gestation specific centiles for each parameter, assuming that the measurements have a normal distribution at each gestational age. The fetal biometry results obtained from the current study were compared with a commonly used reference chart. The fitted 10th, 50th and 90th centiles at 40 weeks of gestation were, 87.9 mm, 93.2 mm and 98.5 mm for BPD, 313.8 mm, 328.9 mm and 344.0 mm for HC; 298.2 mm, 322.5 mm and 346.9 mm for AC and 69.7 mm, 75.0 mm and 80.2 mm for FL. When compared with the reference chart, significant differences of fetal biometry were seen in the third trimester but not in the second trimester. Ultrasound fetal biometry of singleton fetuses in pregnant women with normal nutritional and health status in the Ampara District were significantly different in the third trimester, from a routinely used reference chart.

Symphysis-pubis fundal height charts to assess fetal size in women with a normal body mass index.

To construct symphysis-pubis fundal height (SFH) charts to estimate fetal size in pregnant women with a normal body mass index (BMI) and to describe the variation of SFH measurements according to BMI. cross sectional study was carried out at Ampara and Gampaha Districts in Sri Lanka. Women with normal nutritional and health status, normal BMI and minimal environmental constraints on fetal growth, with ultra sound confirmation of dates by fetal crown-rump length measurements between 11 weeks and 13 weeks + six days,had their SFH measured, using non-elastic tape and standard techniques, between 24 and 41 weeks gestation. Only one measurement of SFH was obtained from each pregnant woman. Linear and polynomial regression models were fitted separately to the means and standard deviations (SD) as functions of gestational age to identify the model with the best fit. Centiles were derived from the mean and SD at each gestational age. Pregnant women from the districts of Ampara (n=387) and Gampaha (n=200) were recruited. Other than a difference of -1.5 cm (95% CI -2.27 to -0.23) at 38 weeks of gestation, there were no significant differences between the SFH measurements obtained from women with normal BMI in Ampara and Gampaha Districts. Using the SFH measurements from the Ampara sample, charts were created for 10th, 50th and 90th centile values of SFH. At 40 weeks of gestation these were 34 cm, 37 cm and 41 cm respectively. At 40 weeks gestation, the variation in SFH measurements between BMI sub groups within the normal range was approximately 1.4 cm to 1.6 cm. These SFH charts could be used to estimate fetal size in pregnant women with normal BMI.

Estimation and characterization of municipal solid waste generation in Thirukkovil Pradeshiya Sabha, Ampara District

Municipal Solid Waste is a growing problem in urban areas of Sri Lanka and this problem is aggravated due to absence of proper solid waste management systems at Local Authorities. The management of solid waste requires in depth studies on waste generation and characterization. Thus, an evaluation study was conducted to assess the generation and composition of solid wastes in Thirukkovil Pradeshiya Sabha, Ampara district. Solid waste collected from households and shops by Local Authority were quantified. Then, collected samples were separated into different material categories of wastes. The questionnaire surveying covered 60 households in study area. Finally, data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS.The results manifested that the average waste generation per household is 2.24 kilogram. Approximately, 16.345 tons of solid waste were found to be generated per day by household sector and has contributed more than 45.64% of the total waste generation. Correlation study revealed that the household waste generation showed a moderate positive correlation (P<0.01) with monthly income and family size. The average composition of the household waste in weight basis is organic waste (92.94%), plastic (3.96%), metal (0.86%), glass (1.67%), and hazardous waste (0.57%). Average solid waste generation per shop is 1.56 kilogram. Approximately 74.88 kilogram of solid waste were generated per day and the average composition of the shop waste is organic waste (89.26%), plastic (9.10%), glass (0.94%), metal (0.62%), and hazardous waste (0.046%). The total solid waste collected by the Local Authority is 250.65 tons per week. The average composition of the solid waste collected by Local Authority was organic waste (93.69%), plastic (2.73%), glass (1.03%), metal (0.56%) and hazardous waste (1.96%). The biodegradable material can be utilized for compost making to reduce the materials at home level

Community based fish nurseries at Kirawana and Rajawewa in the Ampara district, Sri Lanka: A success story

Official journal of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Full text articles available here and on their own website, http://www.slafar.lk/index.php. Publication Frequency will be twice a year with two issues per volume, i.e., March (Issue 1) and September (Issue 2).

Land Degradation Analysis on Coastal Area of Ampara District

The island of Sri Lanka is free from serious natural hazards such as volcanic activity and earthquakes resulting from climatic extremes, but there are impacts of many natural disasters, such as landslides, floods and droughts, the intensity and frequency of which are increasing due to human interventions. Some areas of Sri Lanka are also periodically subject to cyclones that occur due to climatic conditions and geographical locations. Land degradation denotes all natural or anthropogenic processes that diminish or impair productivity of land. This occurs mainly through soil erosion, loss of organic matter and nutrients in the soil; salinization and large scale land degradation in Sri Lanka. Its manifestations today are heavy loss of soil, siltation in the water bodies, reservoirs and coastal waters, unplanned settlements, loss of arable land leading to declining productivity in agricultural lands and intensification of impacts of natural hazards such as flooding and landslides. Land degradation is a major problem in Eastern Coastal Area from Kalmunai MC, Karaitivu and Nintavur Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) of Ampara District. However, there is a considerable spatial heterogeneity exists within this area in terms of land use, topography, land management and socio-economic conditions. Therefore, land degradation assessment studies are very important for the sustainable development of the area. Considering the above background, this study was conducted with the objectives of developing a land degradation assessment model using a GIS based approach.

Land Degradation Analysis on Coastal Area of Ampara District

The island of Sri Lanka is free from serious natural hazards such as volcanic activity and earthquakes resulting from climatic extremes, but there are impacts of many natural disasters, such as landslides, floods and droughts, the intensity and frequency of which are increasing due to human interventions. Some areas of Sri Lanka are also periodically subject to cyclones that occur due to climatic conditions and geographical locations. Land degradation denotes all natural or anthropogenic processes that diminish or impair productivity of land. This occurs mainly through soil erosion, loss of organic matter and nutrients in the soil; salinization and large scale land degradation in Sri Lanka. Its manifestations today are heavy loss of soil, siltation in the water bodies, reservoirs and coastal waters, unplanned settlements, loss of arable land leading to declining productivity in agricultural lands and intensification of impacts of natural hazards such as flooding and landslides. Land degradation is a major problem in Eastern Coastal Area from Kalmunai MC, Karaitivu and Nintavur Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) of Ampara District. However, there is a considerable spatial heterogeneity exists within this area in terms of land use, topography, land management and socio-economic conditions. Therefore, land degradation assessment studies are very important for the sustainable development of the area. Considering the above background, this study was conducted with the objectives of developing a land degradation assessment model using a GIS based approach.

Relationship between Livelihood Assets and Economic Security of Rural Households in Samurdhi Programme, Ampara Districts, Sri Lanka

Relationship between Livelihood Assets and Economic Security of Rural Households in Samurdhi Programme, Ampara Districts, Sri Lanka

SMEs' performance by adopting strategic orientation and mediating role of marketing capabilities: a study among small businesses in the Ampara District of Sri Lanka

Small businesses are vital for people in the Ampara District in terms of employment generation and this, in turn, contributes to the gross domestic production to the development of the country. It is, therefore, paramount to study the small business sectors in the region and to figure out the problems faced by these small businesses. The major objective of the study is to find the association between strategic orientation of small businesses in Ampara District and its performance through mediating marketing capabilities. This study helps to understand the mediating effect of marketing capabilities by adopting the strategic orientation. Data were collected by utilising questionnaires. Analysis was done using multivariate techniques. Small businesses in the Ampara District have to achieve its profitability with lucrative performance. Hence, there should be proper guidance by way of formulating strategies so that they will be devising strategies by adopting marketing orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, and technological orientation with an effect of marketing capabilities as mediator.