News
November 10, 2025
Redefining the City, Reimagining the Nation
This speech calls for a national reawakening in how Sri Lanka perceives research, urbanisation, and innovation. It argues that research must move beyond academic walls to become an outcome-driven force for national transformation. Through the lens of urban planning, it redefines the city as a shared human experience rather than an exclusive economic zone, urging [...]The post Redefining the City, Reimagining the Nation appeared first on Ceylon Today.
Sri Lanka is being urged to undergo a fundamental shift in its approach to research, urban development, and innovation, according to a powerful speech recently delivered and highlighted by Ceylon Today. The central theme revolves around a national reawakening, moving away from outdated perspectives and embracing a future where these key areas actively contribute to the nation's progress.
The speech emphasized the critical need to redefine the role of research within Sri Lankan society. It argued that research should no longer be confined to the walls of academia, generating papers that gather dust on shelves. Instead, it must become an engine for tangible change, driven by clear and measurable outcomes that directly benefit the country and its citizens. This outcome-driven approach would require a collaborative effort between researchers, policymakers, and industry, ensuring that research efforts are aligned with national priorities and translated into practical solutions.
Furthermore, the speech called for a reimagining of urban spaces. It challenged the prevailing view of cities as simply economic powerhouses, focusing solely on financial gain and often leading to inequality and exclusion. Instead, it proposed a redefinition of the city as a shared human experience. This perspective emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive urban environments that prioritize the well-being of all residents, regardless of their socio-economic background. This includes access to quality housing, green spaces, efficient transportation, and opportunities for social interaction.
The speaker stressed that effective urban planning is crucial to achieving this vision. It requires a holistic approach that considers the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of urban life, fostering sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for all city dwellers. By prioritizing the human element in urban design, Sri Lanka can create vibrant and thriving cities that serve as models for the region and beyond. The call to action is clear: to embrace innovation, prioritize research with real-world impact, and build cities that are truly for the people. This reawakening, it is argued, is essential for Sri Lanka to unlock its full potential and secure a prosperous future.
The speech emphasized the critical need to redefine the role of research within Sri Lankan society. It argued that research should no longer be confined to the walls of academia, generating papers that gather dust on shelves. Instead, it must become an engine for tangible change, driven by clear and measurable outcomes that directly benefit the country and its citizens. This outcome-driven approach would require a collaborative effort between researchers, policymakers, and industry, ensuring that research efforts are aligned with national priorities and translated into practical solutions.
Furthermore, the speech called for a reimagining of urban spaces. It challenged the prevailing view of cities as simply economic powerhouses, focusing solely on financial gain and often leading to inequality and exclusion. Instead, it proposed a redefinition of the city as a shared human experience. This perspective emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive urban environments that prioritize the well-being of all residents, regardless of their socio-economic background. This includes access to quality housing, green spaces, efficient transportation, and opportunities for social interaction.
The speaker stressed that effective urban planning is crucial to achieving this vision. It requires a holistic approach that considers the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of urban life, fostering sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for all city dwellers. By prioritizing the human element in urban design, Sri Lanka can create vibrant and thriving cities that serve as models for the region and beyond. The call to action is clear: to embrace innovation, prioritize research with real-world impact, and build cities that are truly for the people. This reawakening, it is argued, is essential for Sri Lanka to unlock its full potential and secure a prosperous future.
Category:
Politics