On 21 June, we celebrate World Localisation Day. This movement is a celebration of what makes a place unique to itself. The cause is an antithesis to rapidly developing entities and schemes which are built on profit maximisation, speed, and scale, systems that often undermine cultural diversity, ecological sustainability, and local resilience. Instead, World Localisation Day celebrates the growing global movement towards local food systems, local businesses, and community-led solutions. It promotes economic systems that prioritise human and ecological wellbeing, where communities can thrive by building on their own strengths, traditions, and resources.

Good Life X, an innovation and development catalyst dedicated to nurturing the next wave of life-enhancing solutions for South Asia and the world, believes that the nature-based richness of our island is what can propel us into the future. Sri Lanka is blessed with a treasure trove of endemic herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, alongside unique wildlife and migratory cycles that bring us an extraordinary blend of flora and fauna. Each province boasts its own distinctive topography, climate, and cultural heritage, enriched by generations of historical knowledge. We truly have it all. Yet, it is clear that our resources, both natural and cultural, are disappearing at an alarming rate, with precious little being done to preserve them.

World Localisation Day, coined by the international NGO, Local Futures, is a celebration of what makes a land local. All around the world, organisations, individuals and groups host community events that honour their local traditions, economies, and ecosystems. From farmers’ markets, ethnic food celebrations to traditional music, storytelling, and knowledge-sharing workshops, these gatherings strengthen the bonds between people and their place, fostering resilience, sustainability, and community spirit in an increasingly globalised world. 

There is much that Sri Lanka can contribute to this movement. In a time where migrating to another country is looked upon as the most favourable course of action, when so much heritage is losing its prominence, and global needs outweigh that of a single nation, Sri Lanka’s diverse ecosystems, vibrant cultures, and traditions show the power of the local. By celebrating our unique strengths, we can prove that nurturing what makes us local is key to a sustainable and fulfilling future.

In our April issue, the interview between Good Life X founder and Chair Randhula de Silva and Professor of Regional Transformation and Economic Security at the Department of Land Economy of the University of Cambridge, Professor Shailaja Fennell,  highlighted the dangers of an increasingly global world. While the topic revolved primarily around agriculture, and local food systems which are vital for building resilient communities, reducing environmental impact, and synchronising our biological conditions with the ecology we live in. They spoke of how shorter supply chains ensure fresher, seasonal produce, and strengthen local economies. By prioritising local food, we foster food security, preserve biodiversity, and create more sustainable and equitable connections between people and the planet.This serves as a reminder that safeguarding local knowledge, culture, and community resilience is crucial to creating a balanced and regenerative future.

An example of which is chena cultivation, the ‘slash and burn’ method which involves setting fire to an untouched part of land, and then cultivating seeds on the arable soil. Traditional Sri Lankan farmers choose to abandon the land for a certain period of time, allowing the soil to regenerate itself, as per the ‘Navadali Hena’ method (Climate Checks, 2022). The chena cultivation method takes into account the species that live on the land, and respect the values of nature to regrow and restore. An article by the Centre for Conservation and Research Sri Lanka highlights that this method of cultivation is beneficial for elephants, who find food on these cultivations even after it has been left by the farmers. The non-agricultural plants provide much sustenance for these animals to survive, bringing an intriguing concept of inheritance of the land from one species to another. Dishearteningly, practices such as chena are fast-dying, being replaced by mainstream monocultural methods which weaken and dry the soil, laying waste to all the natural goodness it offers. 

Therefore, as we celebrate World Localisation Day, let us remember that our strength and future as a nation lies in our local roots. Knowledge of the past must flow in unison with our advancement to the future. A truly regenerative system must be created to ensure that Sri Lanka’s rich heritage and its place in the world is preserved, as our position on this planet is unique: at the intersection of trade, culture, nature, standing at the crossroads of something truly magical. It is in these that pathways to thrive in harmony with the world emerge around us. Let’s mark this day by renewing our commitment to care for and preserve our local treasures, ensuring they not only endure, but thrive for generations to come.

Good Life X will celebrate this day with a special public event during the month of June. Stay tuned on our social media pages to learn more and be a part.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication)