Poverty is a phenomenon caused by multiple factors, which results in diverse groups existing amongst the poor. In designing poverty alleviation strategies and programmes that will have significant likelihood of success, factors such as hierarchical stratification of the poor, the differing conditions and constraints such diverse groups encounter in their daily survival strategies should be taken into account. Therefore, micro-level studies are necessary in order to identify, study, assess and distinguish dominant patterns of survival strategies adopted by differing poor groups and distinct conditions they face, in seeking a livelihood. The author of the present study applies the Poverty Framework to examine the implication the hierarchical stratifications of the poor have on the ability to participate in development programmes and approaches the Sri Lanka Government has adopted in designing rural development and poverty alleviation.