Downfall of small cottage industry methods: a sociological study based on the Sinhalese women in Rattota and Ehelagastenna area

Abstract

Today Man’s creations are being towards sustainability. However, they too are now in danger of extinction. In this age of modern technology, every human being is progressing in their lives. In this way, the economy determines one's diet, health, and occupational health. In the early stages in order to relieve the livelihood, man has engaged in small cottage industries. The small cottage industry is a home-based business, often based on raw materials from the environment and can be a startup with a small amount of capital. In the early days, it was considered as the main livelihood of the people. Some people have done it as a hereditary profession while some people were doing these industries based on caste. Accordingly some people were seen as low-caste people with the professions they engaged. It is worthy of mentioning that small cottage industries are generating high returns from low investments. Though the government is proposing several new projects for rural industry development, still not showing any significant improvements. The problem of the study is why the cottage industry is thriving in the study area and it seeks to identify the reasons for their disappearance of the small cottage industries found among the Sinhalese women of Rattota and Ehelagastennaarea. Qualitative data were derived from primary and secondary sources. Primary data collected through interviews and group discussions and secondary data were collected from the internet, books and magazine. Pottery making, weaving and coconut industry were found among Sinhalese women in the early days of the study area. The study found the development of civilisation, new industry arrivals, low income, innovations, and lack of interest among younger generations have questioned the existence of small cottage industries.