On Progressing

Sri Lanka is 'the canary in the coalmine' of fossil powered economic growth, which promises 'development'. The pain of withdrawal will be felt from the cooking fires of its homes, to the national energy grids. But will those profiting from the trade in fossil energy, allow any movement to cease this addiction to fossil fuels and choose a new paradigm for growth and development. The support that the government provides for non-fossil energy will indicate its commitment to the Sustainable Development of the nation.

- BY DR. RANIL SENANAYAKE

We have come a long way as a nation. Once, the person regarded as the 'Father of the Nation' D. S. Senanayake in 1944, stated that one critical measure of development must be the 'larder of the poorest of our households'. Today, the measure has changed, now it is the buffet tables of the grand hotels that signify our state of development.

The time of transition from social wealth passed onto capital wealth as a national goal, was rapid, it was brought about by changing the national psyche, to move from contentment to desire. The process was illustrated clearly in 1922, A. M. Hocart the commissioner of archeology, observed that there were politicians appealing for help in disturbing "the pathetic contentment" of Asiatic peasants, and ready to pillory as an inhuman wretch anyone who may wish them to remain contented. Contentment had become a crime, because it did not open up markets for goods or for doctrines. Woe to the man who does not want more fish, more art, more science, more education, more speed. Trade has no use for him; politics and science abhor him. What though he threw to the wind the old-fashioned restraints, the time honoured virtues? What though he stoop to cringing or insolence, to falsehood, even to corruption? He noted that such a person is hailed as a creative artist, because he has created desire.'

In the current rush for 'Development' have any of us questioned its intent? Does it just mean 'progress' in the manner referred to by Ananda Coomaraswamy when he published the comment that "we who call art significant not knowing of what, are also proud to progress, not knowing wither" ? Wandering aimlessly, with success measured only by an increase in industry and consumerism. The current vision of development certainly could not refer to cultural or philosophical development. So exactly what type of development are we referring to in Sri Lanka when we have various public figures exhorting us towards 'development'?