This publication is a compilation of selected papers presented at the 4th Annual Symposium on Poverty Research in Sri Lanka held in November 2003. The relative peace the country was experiencing at the time gave rise to a renewed focus on development and poverty alleviation, particularly in areas directly affected by the conflict. The Symposium provided a forum for researchers practitioners working in related areas to share their ideas and insights in order to produce a more conflict sensitive vision of development for Sri Lanka.