The Illusion of Greatness: A Wake-Up Call for Sri Lankans
Last night, I glanced at the analytics of my blog. The numbers didn't surprise me; they confirmed something I’ve long suspected and often shared in conversations: many Sri Lankans lack curiosity.
This morning, I checked again. The pattern held firm. Articles that challenge conventional thinking or offer new perspectives continue to be overlooked, while superficial content thrives elsewhere. The rise of TikTok culture has only reinforced this — quick fixes of entertainment have overtaken the deeper urge to learn, explore, and question.But why?
I believe it stems from how we’ve been conditioned from birth. We’ve been taught, sometimes subtly, often loudly, that Sri Lanka is the greatest nation on Earth. That we have the best of everything: nature, culture, food, medicine, and education. These narratives are embedded in our schoolbooks, echoed in our songs and films, and reinforced from religious pulpits.
There was a time I, too, believed it.
But travel and reading — especially in English — shattered that illusion. They opened my eyes to global achievements, standards, and opportunities. They revealed how insulated and inflated our self-perception has become, largely shaped by what some call the "island mentality," a belief that the world begins and ends within our shores.
Here’s a reality check: if we are indeed the best, why haven’t we produced a single Nobel laureate? Why is there no Sri Lankan among the leaders of Fortune 500 companies? Why do we rank low in innovation, research, and global competitiveness?
This isn’t about self-loathing. It’s about self-awareness.
We must start asking hard questions. Not to belittle our nation, but to better it. Pride is not the enemy — false pride is. As long as we keep telling ourselves we are the best without striving to be better, we will remain stuck: a nation of potential, never fully realized.
If we truly wish to move forward, we must shed the comforting myths of inherited greatness and cultivate a mindset of curiosity, humility, and hunger for growth. Let’s stop celebrating mediocrity and start nurturing excellence in our schools, media, temples, and homes.
Only then can we hope to build a country that doesn’t just feel great, but is.
There was a time I, too, believed it.
But travel and reading — especially in English — shattered that illusion. They opened my eyes to global achievements, standards, and opportunities. They revealed how insulated and inflated our self-perception has become, largely shaped by what some call the "island mentality," a belief that the world begins and ends within our shores.
Here’s a reality check: if we are indeed the best, why haven’t we produced a single Nobel laureate? Why is there no Sri Lankan among the leaders of Fortune 500 companies? Why do we rank low in innovation, research, and global competitiveness?
This isn’t about self-loathing. It’s about self-awareness.
We must start asking hard questions. Not to belittle our nation, but to better it. Pride is not the enemy — false pride is. As long as we keep telling ourselves we are the best without striving to be better, we will remain stuck: a nation of potential, never fully realized.
If we truly wish to move forward, we must shed the comforting myths of inherited greatness and cultivate a mindset of curiosity, humility, and hunger for growth. Let’s stop celebrating mediocrity and start nurturing excellence in our schools, media, temples, and homes.
Only then can we hope to build a country that doesn’t just feel great, but is.
Comments