Socio-Ecological Dimensions of Rural Transformation in a Post-Tsunami Resettlement Village in Eastern Sri Lanka

Rural development is traditionally conceptualized as a multi-sectoral process aimed at enhancing quality of life through infrastructure and socio-economic progress. However, from the perspective of Social Change Theory, rural transformation is non-linear and hinges on the functional integration of social systems with ecological and economic realities. Planned interventions, such as the post-2004 tsunami resettlement in Valathappetty Ismayilpuram, can trigger "backward transformation" when new structures misalign with local contexts, underscoring a research gap in the long-term socio-ecological sustainability of Sri Lanka's resettlement villages. This qualitative study examined 193 households in the resettlement scheme using purposive sampling of 20 information-rich cases (representing approximately 10% of the population, including 15 long-term residents and 5 livestock farmers). Data from semi-structured interviews, field observations, and key informant interviews with village officials and agricultural officers were analyzed via Thematic Analysis. Findings delineate three phases: initial arid grazing structure, post-tsunami development via planned housing, and current regression marked by significant out-migration (decreasing from 193 to 125 households). With 65% of the community relying on agriculture, the primary drivers of decline include employment deficits, grazing land depletion, multicultural adaptation challenges, and inadequate access to education and healthcare. Sustainable transformation necessitates prioritizing livelihood security, ecological preservation, and social integration over mere infrastructure. Social work interventions should promote local employment, resource adaptation, and community cohesion to avert further systemic decline.