Diaspora's Contribution in Social Services: A Sociological Study based on J/69 Grama Niladhari Division, Gurunagar

They Tamil Diaspora have the tendency to maintain transnational involvement with their own country people in many ways. Many organizations and institutions provide social services with the participation of Tamil Diaspora community in Sri Lanka. The Diaspora engages in service-oriented activities in North and many parts of the East. They also have different social interests for the benefit of their people. The main aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of Tamil Diaspora to the social services of the Gurunagar J/69 Grama Niladhari Division. Mixed method approach was used for this study employing snowballing sampling method. A total of hundred samples was selected from the beneficiaries who got the diaspora’s assistance in the GN Division. Primary data was collected through the interviewer administered questionnaire, case study methods, focus group discussion and, key informant interviews methods. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Quantitative data was analyzed using a descriptive statistical method with the support of SPSS. Results of this study showed, the Diaspora provide s assistance for the education, professional assistance, contributions to Religious affairs, contribution of community level organizations and assistances to the needy people. Almost 23% of respondents said that diaspora have special concern on the educational supports. About 98% of respondents said that social services also contributed to the development of the community. In the study area, Diasporas focus on their birth place, which plays an important role in promoting social services through the organizations run with the contribution of Diasporas.