SOCIAL MARGINALIZATION OF SLUM DWELLERS AND POVERTY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO WANATHAMULLA NEW HOUSING SCHEMES

Abstract

Urbanization can be introduced as a result of the rapid modernization in the postcolonial Sri Lanka. Though urbanization can be identified as a well-planned process, it is also observed that there are establishments of city-centered; irregular and unplanned social and economic activities. As a result of that, a low income working class who lives in line rooms was born in the Colombo city. The research problem of this study is why the social marginalization still exists for these people though their physical environment has been changed through resettlements. The objectives of the study are identifying the socio-economic status of the community, identifying the problems they are facing and identifying the reasons for the social marginalization of this community. Flats named Sahaspura, Mihindusenpura and Methsara Uyana in Thibirigasyaya DS division of Colombo district were selected as the study area. 30 respondents were selected through random sampling for the study while using semi-structured interviews and observations and key informants as data collecting tools and thematic data analysis was done. Education profile, Economic profile, Socio cultural profiles were studied from this study. According to the study findings the traditional image of poverty of these people directly affects for their social marginalization. Marginalization is further motivated by sub culture, poor infrastructure, socialization, the vicious cycles of poverty: demand and supply, unemployment, underemployment, low financial literacy also affects their social marginalization. This study concludes that the economic stress and uncertainty of their future are giving to generation to generation. Although the physical environment has changed, the life styles of the respondents are not much changed due to poverty and culture of poverty. The social marginalization of dwellers has been intensified by the culture of poverty, urban poverty and related aspects.