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Research Journal of the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka- Rohana 11, 2019

Study area of the research

Rejjipura village, which is situated in the Divisional Secretariat Area, Hikkaduwa.

Rejjipura village came into being with the 50-acre land out of 950-acre estate owned
by an estate owner, taken over by the policy of government land reform launched

during 1972/74 period. This newly born village was initiated by an Italian catholic
priest with selected 100 poorest family units lived around Hikkaduwa and Rathgama

during 1986 (Hemantha-Kumara, 2018c). This Rejjipura habitation commenced with
the hope of developing as a marginal community during the earlier stages of

globalization in 1980s.

Badungoda is in Divisional Secretariat Area, Akmeemana. This village differs from

Rejjipura. According to traditional historical legends, Badungoda village emanated
since the day of kings. Accordingly, Badungoda village was selected as a traditional

village in this research. As shown above, the two villages called Rejjipura and

Badungoda of Galle district, in the Southern province of Sri Lanka were selected as
study area of this research.

Conceptual framework

Since the key concepts used in this research have multiple meanings and

interpretations, it is important to clarify how researcher used them.

Gender relationship and gender division of labour

Gender refers to the economic, social, political, and cultural attributes and

opportunities associated with being women and men. Gender is a sociocultural
expression of characteristics and roles that are associated with certain groups of

people with reference to their sex and sexuality.

‘Gender relationship’ is a common expression in many fields of social research, yet
it is hardly ever clearly defined in conceptual terms. It is therefore necessary to

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