Amar Gunatilleke
At the Marga Institute, we are committed to rethinking development in a way that is grounded in the realities, aspirations, and values of Sri Lankan society. Our focus goes beyond economic metrics or internationally borrowed models. We ask deeper questions: What does it mean to live well in Sri Lanka? What kind of development truly resonates with our people’s lived experience—and what, ultimately, leads to human flourishing?
For decades, the dominant model of development has been shaped by Western ideals, rooted in neoliberal economics, hyper-individualism, and consumerism. These values are relentlessly amplified by the global media, shaping not only our desires but also our expectations and definitions of success. We are constantly shown images of what a “better life” looks like: bigger homes, faster cars, busier lives.
To borrow from an old parable: the woman saw that the fruit was desirable to the eye, and she took and ate, despite being told it was forbidden. The question we must now ask ourselves is: Have we, too, been seduced by a vision of life that isn’t ours to begin with? Are we chasing someone else’s dream—and losing touch with our own?
A Nation in Disquiet
Not long ago, a disturbing incident shared by a family member gave me pause. She had entered a modest food outlet on the outskirts of Colombo and was surprised to see police officers at the scene. A man had collapsed and died on the premises. Yet, business continued as usual. Customers came and went, purchasing their string hoppers and fish curry, apparently undisturbed.
This wasn’t always the case. I remember a time when, upon passing a funeral in a bus, passengers stood silently in respect. It didn’t matter who the deceased was; respect for human life was instinctive. Today, many reach for their phones before they reach out to help. Just days ago in Badulla, a man was attacked by his own brother in broad daylight. Onlookers recorded the horror on their phones before one courageous individual stepped in to intervene.
These are not just isolated incidents—they are symptoms of a deeper social unraveling. Have we become a society disconnected from empathy, solidarity, and shared values?
A Question of Values
We often speak with pride of our ancient civilization and rich cultural traditions. Yet, we must ask: What good are heritage and history if they don’t inform our present and shape our future? Development, as we envision it, must be not only materially enriching but also morally and spiritually uplifting.
At the Marga Institute, we have long approached development through a multi-disciplinary lens—integrating economic, political, environmental, and, crucially, value-based perspectives. Today, as global power shifts and a multipolar world takes shape—with countries like China and India ascending—we must rediscover and reassert the cultural strengths and social philosophies that define our region.
We believe it is time to look beyond traditional markers like GDP, HDI, or even the SDGs. We need to embrace a broader and deeper aspiration: human flourishing.
Human Flourishing: The New Imperative
Human flourishing asks questions that conventional development indicators often ignore:
- How satisfied are we with life as a whole?
- How secure do we feel in our relationships?
- Do we experience mental and physical well-being?
- Can we delay gratification today for happiness tomorrow?
- Are we building lives of meaning—or merely existing under economic pressure?
The answers matter. Because while the dominant development model has delivered some progress, it has also come at a cost:
- Growth is endless, but well-being is uneven.
- Competition is constant, but contentment is elusive.
- Consumption is celebrated, but community is crumbling.
In essence, we’ve created systems where we are driven to want more, spend more, and do more—rather than simply to be well.
Toward a Sri Lankan Model of Development
The Marga Institute’s ongoing research is exploring these questions in greater depth. Through public consultations, academic inquiry, and multi-sector dialogue, we aim to co-create a development model rooted in Sri Lanka’s unique identity—practical, sustainable, and inclusive.
This is not about rejecting modernity. It is about choosing which modernity we want—one that serves the people, honours our values, and enables us not just to survive, but to thrive.
We need to reclaim development as a journey toward human flourishing—not merely economic ascent.