Sri Lanka won’t change until YOU change

Researchers call it “Individual Social Responsibility” (ISR): the duty of every citizen to act ethically, protect the environment, and contribute to community wellbeing in daily life. Companies call it CSR, publish extensive reports, and try to improve their image. But CSR only works when employees and citizens practice ISR first. A country needs both

Last week in Frankfurt, my granddaughter asked: “Seeya, why are the streets so clean here without police?” I had no good answer for Sri Lanka. We have the same laws and the same potential, but the result is different. The answer is not more Government programs or more CSR initiatives by companies.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which was once a buzzword among large corporates and professional circles, has now become a popular tool for fulfilling organisational social obligations even among medium-sized and small companies. This shows that the importance of the concept is being acknowledged today more than ever before, which is a positive sign. However, I tend to feel that the concept is not properly understood by certain sections of our society. Therefore, I wish to explain it in simple terms so that this write-up can be easily understood.

CSR can be commonly defined as a business model in which companies integrate social and environmental concerns into their business operations and interactions for the wellbeing of society and the environment. Put differently, it is the recognition that companies must contribute part of the profits they earn from providing services back to society for its development.

During my visit to Frankfurt, two things struck me: the streets were clean, drivers were more than careful and immensely patient, and people took their turn for any service without being told. In most other countries, such as Australia, where the largest Sri Lankan community outside Sri Lanka lives, the situation was the same. Nobody is watching, yet everyone follows basic social norms and obeys the rules. Back home in Sri Lanka, we have the same rules and laws and the same potential, yet the result is different. I strongly feel that the answer is not more Government programs or more CSR projects by large companies.

Researchers call it “Individual Social Responsibility” (ISR): the duty of every citizen to act ethically, protect the environment, and contribute to community wellbeing in daily life (Lin, 2010; Paine, 2014). Companies call it CSR, publish extensive reports, and try to improve their image. But CSR only works when employees and citizens practise ISR first (Aguilera et al., 2007; Carroll, 1991). A country needs both. CSR is for companies and ISR is for individuals.

If I were to put this idea in one sentence, it would be: “CSR is the roof, but ISR is the foundation. Without a strong foundation, the roof collapses.”

A company can have the best CSR policy, but if its employees do not care, nothing changes. ISR encompasses four dimensions: ethical, environmental, civic, and community responsibility.

It is noteworthy that some global and local companies have made ISR a reality on the ground. To cite just two examples, Patagonia and Sri Lanka’s own MAS are companies that have facilitated and motivated their employees to engage in ISR. Needless to say, there are many other companies, banks, and institutions globally and locally that have done the same. These successful organisations contribute meaningfully to national development.

CSR is what companies do with money. ISR is what you do with character

The relationship between ISR, CSR and national development

Current situation

Now that you have some understanding of ISR, let us conduct a frank examination of ourselves. Are we fulfilling our obligations and duties as citizens? Do we understand the social cost of not being individually socially responsible?

Let me offer a few examples. First, consider our road discipline. As drivers, are we following traffic rules and regulations? Speeding, drunk driving, improper parking, impatience, and the violation of pedestrian rights, among many other offences, contribute to an ever-increasing number of deaths each year. Our discipline in public transport is among the worst in the world.

Next is garbage disposal. What a mess. Some garbage ends up in the neighbour’s yard, some is burnt along with plastics and polythene, and this even happens in some schools. Some garbage bags are thrown from luxury vehicles through the windows while in motion. Needless to say, food wrappers and toffee wrappers are discarded everywhere. I will leave it to you to think of other similar activities. Then think of Government officers, including the police, who are supposed to enforce law and order, and other public officials who manage public sector institutions responsible for providing services to citizens, yet fail to perform their duties properly. This includes heads and chairpersons of organisations. These are blatant violations of ISR.

Some of the most serious ISR violations involve environmental destruction, such as cutting trees, permitting coastal erosion, removing soil and sand, damaging riverbanks, and many other harmful activities. All of these retard national development, particularly sustainable development.

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

These are some of the reasons why ISR matters in 2026. ISR is the missing link between corporate policies and real impact. Unless there is a culture of ISR among companies, their employees, and ordinary citizens, CSR initiatives will fail on the ground.

The current drivers of ISR in 2026 stem largely from Generation Z, employee demands for purpose, hybrid work requirements, self-regulation, and ESG reporting, which increasingly tracks employee behaviour.

The fastest way to develop Sri Lanka requires no budget. It is called responsibility.

Some may think that comparing a developed country with a developing country like Sri Lanka is neither logical nor practical. However…we can begin a process of change, even if it takes time

How to face the challenge: The solution

If every Sri Lankan decided, “I will respect others because everyone has the right to their own viewpoint,” took their turn, behaved politely, drove according to traffic regulations, exercised patience, and followed basic social ethics, we would not need ten separate projects to solve these problems.

ISR is not about politics. It is a personal strategy. It may be the fastest strategy available to develop Sri Lanka.

First and foremost, every Sri Lankan needs to understand and accept that we have a problem. Without recognising a problem, solutions never emerge.

Next, we need to change our mindset and begin practising good habits step by step, similar to the Japanese concept of Kaizen. I believe we can learn a great deal from our Japanese friends and the way they have steadily developed Japan through concepts such as 5S and other continuous improvement practices. They call it small habits producing big results.

Simple things we can do in Sri Lanka

The media and schools must promote and popularise the ideas expressed in this article because they are important stakeholders in building a responsible society.

You do not need a ministry or a million rupees to change Sri Lanka. You only need five promises to yourself, starting tomorrow morning:

1. Promise to the street: “I will not drop garbage.”

Hold your bottle, wrapper, or betel spit until you find a bin. If there is no bin, keep it in your bag. Frankfurt is clean because millions of people make this one promise. Colombo can too.

Clean streets = less dengue + more tourists + greater pride.

2. Promise to the country: “I will pay my full tax.”

Whether it is income tax, VAT, or even a bus fare, do not ask for a discount through evasion. Every rupee hidden is a rupee taken from a school, a hospital, or a road.

Proper taxation and efficient management by Government authorities = a stronger Sri Lanka.

3. Promise to others: “I will respect the queue.”

At the bus stop, bank, supermarket, or shop—no pushing and no saying, “Ayya, I am in a hurry.”

A queue is democracy in action. If a child in Frankfurt can wait, so can we.

A proper queue = trust.

4. Promise to the future: “I will save water and electricity.”

Switch off the light when you leave a room. Do not let the tap run while brushing your teeth.

The CEB cannot solve power shortages if we all waste resources.

Conservation = fewer blackouts for your own family.

5. Promise to one person: “I will teach or help one person this week.”

Teach your neighbour’s child a maths problem. Show an office assistant how to recycle. Help an elderly person cross the road.

ISR means: “I am responsible for someone other than myself.”

None of these actions requires a law, but all of them require you.

CSR is what companies do with money. ISR is what you do with character.

Some may think that comparing a developed country with a developing country like Sri Lanka is neither logical nor practical. However, this article has shown how we can begin a process of change, even if it takes time.

I would also like to emphasise that this article contains important messages for every citizen, every organisation, and the Government.

Let us come together and transform Sri Lanka into a prosperous nation. Only you can do it.

Remember the five promises YOU made.