This article applies complex evolving systems theory (CES) to investigating the governance factors affecting rebuilding in the wake of the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka. It also examines the crucial processes of co-operation between the various governance actors (public, market and civil society) in the aftermath of the disaster. The main focus is on the horizontal integration in the process of service delivery at the district level during the rebuilding stage, and on explaining the nature and extent of collaboration in the delivery of services needed for the survivors to build their new lives. Our observations suggest that influence, incentives and the power of dominant groups remain highly relevant to the outcomes and that the socio-political system within which they operate is dynamic. Governance as a whole has become a playing field for dominant stakeholder groups both within and outside the government. The study demonstrates the value of CES in improving the understanding of complex governance in the context of a crisis.

Despite far-reaching economic, social and political developments in Sri Lanka over the last century or so, Sri Lankan women continue to occupy a subordinate status. While women are not subjected to extreme forms of oppression, many adverse structures and forces, such as the patriarchal social structure, woman's role in the family, traditional values, rituals and myths, the division of labour and unequal pay, and women's lack of participation in politics contribute to the continuing subordination of Sri Lankan women. In this context, this article seeks to address the socioeconomic , cultural and political processes that shape the status and the progress of women in Sri Lanka. It emphasizes the policy makers to ensure that Sri Lankan women are empowered to participate in development. For this to happen, the article, however, argues that an attitudinal change and a paradigm shift in the minds of policy makers and the society at large must be accomplished.

The features of governance during the provision of relief immediately following the 2004 tsunami, the restoration of key services and facilities, and the longer term rebuilding of damaged/destroyed infrastructure, in the Galle District of Sri Lanka, are investigated in this case study. Interview data revealed that recovery attempts were significantly weakened by the lack of collaboration among key players at the central and the district level. In particular, at the district level, interactions among key stakeholders have lacked focus and were ad hoc. We argue that despite the growing recognition of the advantages of the integration of the actions of various state and non-state actors in such governance, government appears to be reluctant to move away from the existing 'command and control mode' of governance. As a result, transaction costs of governance were excessive, and the resources allocated for reconstruction were either misused or left underutilized. Points for practitionersFollowing a major disaster there is enormous goodwill, with willingness to overlook previous divisions and partisan interests. However, this is fragile and easily dissipated. It must be deliberately preserved and built on. Practitioners should seize the opportunity to build collaborative relationships and to reform administrative processes to facilitate the delivery of supplies and services, giving priority according to need. Advice to the political executive must emphasize the urgency and public interest in drawing on all available human, financial and physical resources through collaborative arrangements involving all sources, including the public service at each level of government, business and non-government organizations.

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Studies around the world have found that gender based violence is most common where gender roles are rigidly defined and enforced. Evidence also suggests that justifications for violence frequently evolve from gender norms. Based on this, this study was aimed to identify the perceptions on gender norms and gender based violence among women in a rural community in Sri Lanka.A cross sectional study was conducted by recruiting seventy four women and a same number of families, randomly. Six gender norms that were assumed to have a commitment to create gender based violence were assessed using five-point likert type scales and perceptions on violence were assessed by using four statements on violence positive attitudes included in a self-administered questionnaire. Majority (91.5%) of the women agreed that responsibility for nurturing and caring children is mostly lies with women than men and household activities should be known by women than men.Lowest acceptance (22.1%) reported for the norm 'consuming alcohol and tobacco is a masculine thing' among women. High number of women (81.9%) perceives that behaving violently by men can be justified if the violence act occurs due to a failure of women's duties. Majority of the families (91.6%) accept that 'responsibility for nurturing and caring children is mostly lies with woman than man.'More than 50% of the women showed an agreement on five norms out of the six norms that were assessed during the study. Majority of them also possess violence supportive attitudes. Most of the families believe that child care is a responsibility of women. Therefore these prominent norms and violence supportive attitudes need to be considered in designing interventions targets to prevent the gender based violence among a rural community.