The Multidisciplinary Study on Culture and Personality Determined by the Natural Environment and Its Changes

Abstract

At present, the natural disasters faced by Sri Lankans are increasing day by day. Even in a catastrophic situation, it becomes integral part of cultural life when in constant conflict with life. Rather than finding solution to the problem, the study based on the persuasiveness of people to make it a blessing to their day to day lives and the nature of the new lifestyles associated with it. The objective of the research was to study the socio-cultural impact of the natural environment and its changes. According to the analytical research, the study area was selected as 435- Kahatapitiya Gramasewa Division located in Hanwella Divisional Secretariat Division. Out of the 344 indoor units the population that suffering from flood, among the population 40 households were selected and studied as 12%. The sample was selected through the judging sample, stratification sample and random sample. The findings reveal that the whole socio-cultural environment such as the economy, daily life and religious beliefs of the people living in the area are adapted to this environment. Examples including surrendering to the god Ranwala, building houses to withstand disasters and taking advantage of disasters. 58% of the respondents were of the opinion that this disaster was a common situation faced by all the people living in the lowlands and that no action could be taken to address it. Thus, it can be concluded that the socio-cultural environment in which he is grew up as well as the environment in which he brought up creates the whole personality, including the inner status of the individual. However, it should be noted that the natural environment and the natural disasters are great impact on it have a great effect on the social status, cultural background as well as the personality of the people living under that environmental background.