Abstract
A SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN THE HAMBANTOTA DISTRICT OF SRI LANKA
Dr. G. Edirisinghe* and Upali Pannilage
ABSTRACT
This article is based on a study conducted to identify causes and impacts of environmental health issues in the Hambantota district which is situated in the Dry Zone of the southern province of Sri Lanka. The analysis has included both primary and secondary data. The Tango Divisional Secretariat area was selected to collect primary data. Total number of 50 households has been selected as the sample through simple random method to represent the population of the study location. It has been identified that the lack of clean drinking water as the main causes for environment related diseases in the area. The reasons for nonavailability of clean drinking water as identified in the study were vary. Some of those reasons include unplanned commercial activities, poor urban planning and ignorance of the resident to keep their vicinity clean. The area has considerably affected from the frequent draught prevailing in the area. The study has concluded with that the non- availability of a proper drainage system and waste disposal system in the city due to poor urban planning has considerably contributed for the environmental health issues of the people. The impacts of health issues on the lives of local residents have been identified as increased expenditure for treatments, low productivity and increased death rate.
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