Marga Institute

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Marga Institute The Institute is involved in Development Research, Publications, Education and Training, Library Services and Civil Society Forum Discussions.

The Marga page is dedicated to create awareness among our key stakeholders and well wishers regarding Marga events and projects at hand. It also serves as a channel to exchange views and ideas concerning civil society issues. All new publications, journals and translations will be promoted through this page

Pakistani podcast Kaisay signs knowledge partnership with Sri Lanka’s Marga InstituteAgreement follows a separate partne...
06/10/2026

Pakistani podcast Kaisay signs knowledge partnership with Sri Lanka’s Marga Institute

Agreement follows a separate partnership in Bangladesh; Kaisay plans work in Nepal next

COLOMBO, 5 October 2026 — Kaisay with Raja Jawad, a Pakistani podcast and media platform, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Marga Institute, an independent Sri Lankan development research institute founded in 1972. Under the MoU, Marga will serve as knowledge partner for Kaisay’s Sri Lanka-focused work.
Raja Jawad, founder and host of Kaisay, and Amar Gunatilleke, Executive Vice Chairman of the Marga Institute, signed the MoU at the Marga Institute in Colombo, in the presence of staff from both organisations. The agreement provides a basis for sharing research and perspectives on social and development issues. Specific activities will be developed jointly.
“South Asia has more to gain when we listen to one another with curiosity and respect,” said Jawad. “Pakistan and Sri Lanka have different experiences, but many of the questions before us - livelihoods, education and opportunity - are shared. Kaisay South Asia aims to bring the people working on those questions into a wider conversation. Marga’s knowledge of Sri Lanka gives that conversation depth, and I hope this will help valuable ideas travel across our borders.”
Gunatilleke said: “Research is most useful when it reaches people and informs public discussion. We welcome the opportunity to share Sri Lankan perspectives with audiences in Pakistan and across the region, while learning from experiences elsewhere. The value of this understanding will lie in the conversations and learning we build together.”
Sri Lanka is the second country in Kaisay South Asia, after Bangladesh, where Kaisay earlier signed a separate MoU with Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), a Dhaka-based policy research organisation. Each knowledge partnership is country-specific: RAPID’s role concerns Bangladesh and Marga’s concerns Sri Lanka. Kaisay plans to develop work in Nepal next. Those plans will be developed separately.
Separately, during his visit to Colombo, Jawad met Major General (R) Dr Nayyar Naseer, HI (M), PhD, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner expressed appreciation for the MoU and emphasised the importance of knowledge exchange and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
About the organisations
The Marga Institute is an independent, non-profit Centre for Development Studies established in Sri Lanka in 1972. Its work includes multidisciplinary research on development, shared through education and training, publications and civil society discussion.
Kaisay with Raja Jawad is a Pakistani podcast and media platform featuring conversations with people working on development and social issues. It is produced by Persuasion (Pvt.) Ltd., an Islamabad-based communications firm.

02/10/2026

Happy Children's Day! 🌟
Every child deserves to learn, stay safe, be heard, and dream without limits.
At Marga Institute, we believe that building a better Sri Lanka begins with investing in our children. Their health, education, and well-being are the foundation of our nation's future. Today, we remember that it is our shared responsibility to create a country where every child, in every village, town, and city, has the opportunity to thrive.
To all the children of Sri Lanka: your voices matter, your ideas matter, and your future matters. 💛
Marga Institute
Sri Lanka Centre for Development Studies

Charting New Pathways for Sri Lanka’s Trade Architecture! We are thrilled to reflect on the successful conclusion of our...
03/08/2026

Charting New Pathways for Sri Lanka’s Trade Architecture!
We are thrilled to reflect on the successful conclusion of our recent Policy Dialogue, "Navigating Sri Lanka’s Trade Architecture: Strategy, Synergy, and Economic Diplomacy," jointly organized by the Department of Commerce and the Marga Institute.
Held on July 28, 2026, this high-level session brought together distinguished policymakers, industry experts, researchers, and trade professionals to address the critical challenges and opportunities shaping Sri Lanka’s global economic footprint.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in robust discussions focused on:
● Strategic Trade Pathways: Identifying evidence-based frameworks to enhance our export competitiveness.
● Institutional Synergy: Bridging gaps across sectors to create a unified, efficient trade ecosystem.
● Economic Diplomacy: Leveraging international partnerships to expand market access and secure sustainable economic growth.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all our guest speakers, partners, and attendees whose invaluable insights, active participation, and expertise made this conversation truly impactful.

Future Makers: Play, Learn, Vote! 🗳️✨We are thrilled to share the incredible journey of our "Future Makers: Play, Learn,...
22/07/2026

Future Makers: Play, Learn, Vote! 🗳️✨
We are thrilled to share the incredible journey of our "Future Makers: Play, Learn, Vote!" initiative!
Over the past few sessions, we had the privilege of connecting with vibrant communities in Colombo, Kanthale, and Kurunegala.
By bringing these regional communities together through the power of our gamified voting experience, we aimed to make learning about civic engagement not just informative, but truly fun and impactful. It has been inspiring to see participants dive into this hands-on experience, turning complex concepts into meaningful conversations about the future.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to these lively sessions. Together, we are building a more engaged and informed generation of future makers!

In observance of World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, a collaborative consortium of organisations, namely NetWwater, FPA Sr...
08/06/2026

In observance of World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, a collaborative consortium of organisations, namely NetWwater, FPA Sri Lanka , Rotary Club of Colombo West, Perera and Sons PLC, the Marga Institute, and Appe Lanka Foundation organized an advocacy initiative bringing together leaders and advocates working across menstrual health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Held at FPA Sri Lanka, the event was honoured by the presence of Chief Guest H.E. Dewi Gustina Tobing, Ambassador of Indonesia to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.


We signed an agreement with the International Institute for Migration and Development to provide research services for a...
08/06/2026

We signed an agreement with the International Institute for Migration and Development to provide research services for a research assignment ;- "Migration as a strategic asset for economic growth in Sri Lanka -Evidence use in policy making in Sri Lanka." This is part of the project conducted in Kenya, Kerala State and Sri Lanka.

30/05/2026

Relational Pluralism
A Framework for Engaging Across Worldview Disagreement

The meeting at Marga on the 28th of May focused on a presentation by Professor Eranda Jayawickreme titled "Clarifying the Constitutive and Enabling Personality Characteristics Promoting Religious Coexistence and Relational Pluralism in Sri Lanka".
The session centred on relational pluralism—defined as actively engaging in dialogue across deep worldview differences for mutual understanding, a practice that goes beyond mere tolerance (which is just restraint without engagement). A key insight from the emerging research in Sri Lanka is that while local civil society leaders show a remarkable capacity for bridge-building, they face severe structural challenges, segregated education, and political manipulation of ethnic identities.
Currently, Professor Jayawickreme is working with the Marga Institute to finalize the Confessions & Flourishing Project and the "Pluralism Project". To deepen Marga's involvement and help them fine-tune and scale this Study, here is a proposed strategy for collaboration:
1. Leverage Marga's Island-Wide Field Research Infrastructure
The study highlights that individuals face limited systemic support and structural bottlenecks. Marga can get directly involved by leveraging its powerful field network:
Scale the Qualitative Data: Marga recently demonstrated extensive field capabilities by conducting an island-wide public perception survey of 10,000 respondents and running 45 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) across all nine provinces for the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan. They can deploy this exact provincial consultation infrastructure to capture how "relational pluralism" manifests among grassroots communities, rather than just civil society leaders.
2. Formulate Practical Policy Interventions for Segregated Education
Because the research explicitly identifies "segregated education" and political manipulation as primary systemic barriers, Marga is uniquely positioned to bridge this gap:
Evidence-Based Policy Advocacy: Marga has a long history of translating research into actionable frameworks, including drafting results frameworks and local development plans. They can collaborate on a policy paper for the Ministry of Education to propose structural changes that promote inter-group dialogue and intellectual character-building in schools.
3. Translate the Research into Innovative Public Awareness Tools
Professor Jayawickreme's framework examines the "person-by-context" dynamics of who chooses to engage in the face of deep disagreements. Marga can help bring these psychological and social insights to the public using their newly tested methodologies:
Gamified Learning & Media Literacy:
Marga successfully developed and launched "A Fishy Tale", an interactive video game used to counter misinformation and collect data on community media literacy. Marga could propose developing a similar gamified learning experience centred around "Relational Pluralism." This would simulate cross-worldview disagreements, allowing users to test their dialogue choices while also serving as a massive data-collection tool for the Study to see how average citizens navigate differences.
4. Host Cross-Sectoral "Development Dialogues"
Since the Study notes that individuals building local bridges struggle with systemic support, Marga can act as the institutional anchor:
Community-to-Official Platforms:
Using their established Development Dialogues model, which facilitates direct communication between local communities, civil society organizations (CSOs) across 15 districts, and public officials. Marga can host structured forums. These forums would bring together religious leaders, civil society actors, and policymakers to intentionally design the institutional safety nets and structural conditions needed to protect and encourage local bridge-builders.

Ananda we miss you, but you will remain in our hearts forever.
25/05/2026

Ananda we miss you, but you will remain in our hearts forever.

Breaking the Silence: Sri Lanka’s Menstrual Hygiene Crisis Takes Centre StageCOLOMBO – On April 24, 2026, a high-level r...
27/04/2026

Breaking the Silence: Sri Lanka’s Menstrual Hygiene Crisis Takes Centre Stage

COLOMBO – On April 24, 2026, a high-level roundtable at Hotel Janaki brought together experts from NetWwater, the Rotary Club Colombo West, and the Marga Institute to address the systemic barriers surrounding Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in Sri Lanka. The discussion highlighted a "silent crisis" where 4.2 million women and girls face period poverty, driven by high costs, deep-seated cultural taboos, and alarming health risks from conventional products.
A Crisis of Awareness and Affordability

Despite Sri Lanka’s strong regional standing in health and education, MHM remains a neglected human rights issue. Shockingly, 66% of girls are unaware of menstruation until they experience their first period. This lack of preparation, combined with the fact that only 30% of women have access to affordable menstrual products, has led to significant educational gaps. Statistics revealed that between 37% and 60% of schoolgirls miss classes during their periods, reinforcing long-standing gender inequalities.
The Hidden Dangers in Every Pack

The roundtable raised urgent concerns regarding the safety of conventional sanitary napkins, which are estimated to be 90% plastic. Experts warned that these products take 500 to 800 years to decompose and can leach harmful chemicals—including dioxins, phthalates, and heavy metals—into the body and environment.
Recent studies cited during the session linked long-term exposure to these materials to grave health concerns, including:
• Hormonal disruption and infertility.
• Reproductive toxicity and endometriosis.
• Potential links to cancer and neurological damage.

Challenging the Patriarchal Lens

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the need for a "cultural shift" in how menstruation is discussed. Participants called for the abandonment of "patriarchal" and medicalised language, such as "MENS-truation" and "MENARCHE," in favour of simple, positive semantics. The use of modern platforms like TikTok, teledramas, and 30-second digital cuts was proposed to reach younger audiences and break the cycle of stigma.

The Path to Sustainability

To combat both health risks and environmental damage, the roundtable promoted sustainable alternatives, such as biodegradable pads made from bamboo and jute. These natural fibres offer high absorbency and anti-bacterial properties without the toxic chemical load of plastic-based pads.
Institutional Progress
While the challenges are vast, institutional efforts are gaining momentum:
• The Ministry of Education has integrated MHM into school curricula and teacher training.
• The Ministry of Health is currently formulating a national policy to standardize hygienic practices.
• The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has launched the country’s first National Sanitary Policy and designed improved disposal facilities for schools.
Effective Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is recognized as a cornerstone for achieving several Sustainable Goals:
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Reducing school absenteeism caused by a lack of products and private facilities.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Breaking down patriarchal social norms and myths that lead to the exclusion of women and girls.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Ensuring access to clean water and safe, private disposal mechanisms in schools and workplaces.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Addressing the disproportionate impact of period poverty on marginalized communities, such as those in the plantation sector and dry zones

As the world prepares for Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, the message from Colombo is clear: MHM is not just a "women's issue" but a cornerstone of sustainable development and public health, requiring urgent, coordinated national action.

Address

941/1, Jayanthi Mawatha, Kotte Road, Ethul Kotte, Sri Jayawardenapura
Colombo
10100

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 09:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 09:00 - 16:30
Thursday 09:00 - 16:30
Friday 09:00 - 16:30

Telephone

+94 011 2888790

Website

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