Some limnological and Hydrobiological Aspects of Three Coastal Water Bodies in Southern Sri Lanka

Abstract

The present study is based on an intensive field survey carried out by me on the financial problems associated with the peasant production activities in a newly emerging settlement scheme in Sri Lanka. Inadequacy of credit supply in the peasant sector is a world wide phenomenon The demand for capital made by the rural producers was most often fulfilled by the organized and unorganized sectors. In this study an attempt was made to measure the volume of credit supply to the peasant society by formal and informal .financial institutions. The area covered by the survey is the Hulandawa Left Bank settlement scheme which was started in the 195°s in the Moneragala district. The survey was made possible by a grant awarded by the NUFFIC programme of the Department of Sociology, University of Colombo. The task of preparing the dissertation was * made easy due to the vigilant supervision and able guidance of Dr A.J. Weeramunda, the Head of the Department of Sociology, University of Colombo. I am especially indebted to Dr Kewton Gunasinghe, the Senior Lecturer of the Department of Sociology, who supervised my field survey as well as the dissertation. His stimulating supervision and constructive criticisms made the final version a reality. I am also grateful to Mrs Victoria Baker who shared her experience in the peasantry of Moneragala district. I must be thankful to Dr M.U.De Silva, the Head of the Department of History and Sociology, University of Ruhuna and Professor D. Atapattu, the Head of the Department of Economics, University of Ruhuna, for their intellectual encouragement extended to me at the crucial times. I am deeply appreciative of the assistance given to me by Sister Theodora, Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, and Miss Jasmine Wijethunge, the Head of the English unit of the University of Ruhuna, in the difficult task of straightening out my English. The services extended to me in preparing the map of the study area by Mr P. llewage. Lecturer of the Department of Geography, University of Ruhuna and typing of the first draft of the manuscript by Miss E.G. Girlie are highly appreciated.