Abstract:
This study investigates Rural Electrification (RE). RE programs were implemented
in Trincomalee District played a crucial role in the beneficiaries to uplift their standards of
living. It may take a lengthier time to receive benefits back from specific RE programs
even though this study addressed recent RE programs till 2012 such dramatic changes
_ incurred Standards. of Living of RE beneficiaries. ‘Sri Lanka was going in a track
towards fast growth from an economic point of view. This situation stimulated foreign
investments in RE-based programs in remote areas.
RE facilitated rural people to consume electrification at the least cost. RE supported to
reduce illegal electricity consumption and switching of alternative expensive energy
sources because RE helps to fill the gap on demand created by electricity consumers.
RE played an anchor role in providing job opportunities, children education,
household uses, health-based uses, and street lighting.
This study reveals there was a significant impact of RE on standards of living. RE
measured by Household, Industrial and Commercial factors. Standards of Living
-~+ measured by Income-generation, Household uses, Contribution -to-Education; Health -
based uses and Employment Opportunity. Especially, respondents selected from RE
beneficiaries perceived that RE significantly impacts income generation efforts and
household uses in the Trincomalee context. This was implying a positive perception over
the recent implementation of RE.
Methodology indicates the correlation of the independent variable with the dependent
variable, correlations among the independent variable are taken into account. The R
Square which is explained the variance in Rural Electrifications has been significantly
explained by the independent variable.
Finally, Stands of Living consists of a variety of determinants but, this study selected
- factor that matching with the RE situation in the Trincomalee context. at the same time at
majority of respondents pay less attention to RE efforts providing job opportunities
so, a future implementation may take this regard. This study came to a conclusion that
the recent implementation of RE in Trincomalee perceived positively impact on Standards
of Living of its’ beneficiaries significantly.
