While a largest percentage of Mannar works in fisheries and agriculture, the practices in this sector are neither sustainable nor climate-smart and focus on quick returns. Fishers suffer in terms of lost income due to damaged equipment, restrictions in fishing days and reduced fish catch yield. This is further aggravated by harmful fishing practices such as bottom-trawling by Indian vessels.

The 2019 Household Income and Expenditure Survey assessed that 17.2 per cent of Mannar households were experiencing moderate or severe prevalence of food insecurity, which is higher than the Sri Lankan norm. The household income shocks during COVID and the economic crisis have further worsened food security amongst poorer households in Mannar.

After more than a quarter century of violent conflict, Sri Lanka is returning to peace and economic growth. The protracted civil war, which ended in May 2009, caused devastating loss of life and population displacement, widespread economic disruption, and infrastructural damage in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Although the majority of the displaced population has been resettled, they continue to face significant economic and social challenges.