By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
Let’s be real. If resilience had a passport, it would be stamped Sri Lankan.
We’ve talked about geography, history, culture, spirituality, and strategy. But none of it matters without the people — the unbreakable, often underpaid, rarely overrated, proudly underestimated citizens of this miracle island.
This part isn’t about policy or ports. This is about amma, akka, mallī, aiya, uncle, aunty, and the tuk-tuk driver named Lionel who somehow knows your life story within 3 kilometers.
It’s about the everyday genius that fuels this island.
1. The Hopper Principle: Maximum Output, Minimal Input
Sri Lankans can take three ingredients — rice flour, coconut milk, and time — and create culinary architecture.
Hoppers. A lacy crisp pancake with a belly like a bowl, perfect for holding an egg, a dollop of sambol, or your entire emotional state.
Give a Sri Lankan a little — they’ll create a lot.
- A coconut shell becomes a ladle.
- An old sari becomes a curtain.
- A broken bicycle becomes a mobile bakery.
It’s not just a food. It’s a mindset. The hopper embodies the genius of efficiency: simple, elegant, multipurpose, and satisfying.
2. The Genius of the “Chooty Fix”
“Don’t worry, I’ll chooty fix it.”
This phrase should be in the national anthem. From leaky taps to fried routers to relationships on life support — the Sri Lankan solution is always a minor adjustment and maximum confidence.
- Car won’t start? Hit it.
- Marriage problems? Temple trip.
- Internet down? Restart modem + prayer.
Behind every “chooty fix” is a trust in human creativity, divine luck, and duct tape. It’s not always pretty, but it works.
Sri Lankans are the original lifehackers. If the global tech world ever realized this, Colombo would be flooded with venture capital for “chooty-fix” startups.
3. The Triple Hustle: Work, Study, Side Gig
Sri Lankans don’t work one job. They work three.
- The security guard is also an A/L tutor.
- The banker sells sarees online.
- The government officer is doing freelance accounting on Fiverr.
And they do it with grace. You’ll never hear them say “I’m grinding” — they just do it.
In a country where wages often don’t match ambition, the hustle is a survival skill. It’s why Sri Lankan professionals are in such high demand abroad — because they know how to multi-task, adapt, and deliver.
4. The Oscar-Worthy Politeness
Sri Lankans are trained from childhood to be pleasant.
- Say yes when you mean no.
- Smile when you’re annoyed.
- Offer food even if there’s not enough.
It’s emotional architecture. You might walk into a fight, and someone will still offer you parippu (dal curry). You’ll insult their driving and they’ll reply, “Thank you, sir.”
Even airport customs agents will smile while asking if you packed any keththa (knife) or pol thel (coconut oil). It’s confusing and charming and disarms even the most hardened cynics.
5. The WhatsApp Economists
Every Sri Lankan has strong macroeconomic views — all delivered via WhatsApp voice notes.
- Fuel prices? Conspiracy.
- Exchange rate? Fixable.
- IMF deal? “My uncle’s friend knows the real story.”
They may not have a degree, but don’t underestimate the aunties on the market chat group. They predicted the 2022 economic collapse before the Central Bank did.
WhatsApp isn’t just communication. It’s a think tank, a news channel, a financial advisory firm, and a support group — all rolled into one.
6. Humility as National Identity
Even billionaires say, “Ane, I’m just managing, no.”
Even award winners say, “Ah, small thing, I just tried a bit.”
This humility is not insecurity. It’s a cultural firewall against ego inflation. You can be great — but don’t act like you’re better.
The moment you do, someone will bring you back down with a side-eye and a proverb like, “Even the peacock danced once and lost its tail.”
It creates a society where no one’s too big to laugh at themselves — and that’s powerful.
7. Grace Under Pressure: Calm in Chaos
Power cuts? Candlelight.
Fuel shortages? Push the car.
Mass protests? Pack your rice, chant your rights, and clean up after.
During the worst of crises, Sri Lankans don’t lose their minds. They build makeshift kitchens, organize street libraries, and share everything.
The 2022 protests were not riots. They were a masterclass in collective dignity. Young people handed out water bottles to police officers. Protestors painted murals and offered yoga sessions.
That’s not just calm. That’s character.
Final Thought: The Greatest Export Sri Lanka Has Is Its People
Tourists come for the beaches. They stay for the people.
Sri Lankans will feed you before feeding themselves. They’ll give directions with hand gestures and three wrong turns. They’ll welcome you into their homes even if the roof is leaking and the fridge is empty.
The world may never understand their quiet strength, their unflashy genius, or their deeply layered politeness.
But if you’ve ever met a Sri Lankan, you know: You’ll never forget them.
And they’ll never let you leave without tea, a hug, and a plastic bag of mangoes.
Coming Soon: My Sri Lanka – Part 10
“How to Do Business in Sri Lanka Without Losing Your Sanity or Your Flip-Flops”
About the Author
John is an entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of JS Morlu, LLC, a Virginia based CPA firm with multiple software ventures including www.FinovatePro.com, www.Recksoft.com and www.Fixaars.com . With operations spanning multiple countries, John is on a mission to build global infrastructure that empowers small businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. He believes in hard truths, smart execution, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. When he’s not writing or building, he’s challenging someone to a productivity contest—or inventing software that automates it.