R. Sivachandran: Displacement and Change: Socio-cultural Norms in Northern Sri Lanka

During the last three decades, a large number of civilians in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Vavuniya and Amparai, were compelled to move out from their traditional homes for different reasons. Many of them became internally displaced refugees. One of the more noticeable effects of such displacement was the rupture of roles within the family unit. Within the family, each member had specific responsibilities. During the period of social turmoil or conflict, the natural functioning of the family became disrupted. Such displacement has both social and economic consequences. This  paper attempts to highlight and focus  attention  on  issues   related  to  water  resources   and  agricultural  development  In the  Northern  Region  as  this  is  a war  torn  area and  there is  instability   both about  settlements   and  agricultural   activities. In the process of discussing the process of transformation that has occurred at various levels, I will draw   attention  to  other  long  term measures  related  to   re-construction   and  redevelopment  in Northern  Sri  Lanka.


Biographical Statement:

Prof R Sivachandran is currently working as a Dean of the Informatics Institute of Technology affiliated to the University of Westminster U.K. He has been working at the University of Peradeniya  as a lecturer in the Department of Geography  and then served at the University of Kelaniya. Since 1980 he was working as senior lecturer at the University of Jaffna . He also held the position as a Head of the Geography Department  and the Acting Head in the Department of Sociology. Since 2004-2007 he was holding the position of the Dean of the faculty of Arts University of Jaffna.He also served as a coordinator Extra-mural studies in the University of Jaffna. Apart from the Administrative carrier he was in the area of Lecturing in the Department of geography for more than 30 Years.

As at present he is serving as a controller of panel to the A/Level Exam paper marking. He has published the following Books and Publications.

  • The Tamils Traditional Region in SriLanka. Agricultural Resources and Utilization.
    Akilam Publishers.  Jaffna 1996.
  • Upcountry Tamils . Co-Author , Dr Kumari Jayawadene, Ponni Publishers.
    Adaiyaru ,Madras 1987
  • The growth of the settlement and population characteristics of the Vanni Region of Sri Lanka.
    Teepam Institute 1993.
  • The Fishing Industry in Jaffna.
    Theepam Institute 1990
  • The Economy Of Jaffna.
    Theepam Institute. 1989
  • Research methodology and Agricultural development plan
    Akilam ,Social Science Monograph Jaffna 1988

Aricles:

  • Natural Hazards, Seminar paper presented at the annual session of the Jaffna science Association 1994.
  • Altenate Energy Resources for us : Jaffna Geographer ,Uni. Of Jaffna 1994Vol 09. The journal of the Uni. Geographical Society , Dept of Geography .Uni. of Jaffna.1994
  • The population charecterristics of socio-economic conditions of the plantation workers of Indian origin in SriLanka.
    Aaivu, Vol 1 1987.
  • Mutttu Iyankaddu Youth colonization scheme : an Agro geographical Review.
    Chinnthnai Vol 111 , Faculty of Arts , Uni.of Jaffna. 1985.
  • Agricultural development in the vanni Region of Sri Lanka
    Chinthanai Vol 11 Faculty of Arts, Uni. Of Jaffna 1984
  • Agrobased Industrial Expansion in the NorthEast province of SriLanka.
    Jaffna Geographer, Vol 14, Journal of the Geographical society ,Dept of Geography Uni. Of Jaffna 1987.
  • Agricultural Land Reforms in SriLanka , Jaffna Geographer, The Journal of the Jaffna University.
  • Demographic Characteristic s of the Tamils in the Northern and Eastern perovinces of Srilanka Vol 111, Tamil Uni. Tanjavur India 1984
  • Water conservation in Jaffna
    Nangooram. Vol 03 Social science Monthly Magazine Jaffna 1995
  • Poverty in Third World .Nangooram, Social science Monthly Magazine Jaffna 1993.

Editing Journals:

  • Editor, Chinthanai, The Journal of the Faculty of Arts, Uni. Of Jaffna 1996
  • Editorial Advisor –Markam Journal of the study of society economy and culture ,Marga Institute Colombo 1992
  • Cosultant , Jaffna Geographer Vol 05. The Journal of the Geographical Society ,Uni, of Jaffna .

Honorary Posts held:

  • President –University Teacher’s Association 1998-2000
  • Senior member –SLRC
  • Zonal Chairman-Lions Club of Jaffna 2009.
  • Consultant –Jaffna Environmental protection society Irrigation Department , Kachcheri, Jaffna.