Book launch at SL Embassy in Washington

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington held a book signing reception for Dr. Patrick Mendis, a fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science, on May 2, for his third book, "Glocalization: The Human Side of Globalization as If the Washington Consensus Mattered."

A portion of the proceeds of the book sales is donated to the rebuilding of the paediatric hospital in Matara, which had been severely damaged by the tsunami. The Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund has already donated US$ 400,000 for the hospital project.

Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke welcomed the gathering of friends of Sri Lanka who had assembled at the Embassy. The Ambassador introduced the author who spoke eloquently about the focus of his book. Reminiscing about his formative years in Sri Lanka and Minnesota, Dr. Mendis said, “I see America as the most generous, compassionate, and glocalizing nation. You may call it a melting pot, a salad bowl, or a collage. For me, American generosity and freedom have galvanized the world."

Dr. Mendis' book is an attempt to understand the interplay of global forces with local communities. He wrote the book after serving as a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Pittsburgh's Semester at Sea programme through which he travelled around the world. A special message from World Academy fellow Sir Arthur C. Clarke, who also wrote the Foreword to the book, was read out by Academy's director Robert Berg. Sir Clarke says in the message, "Globalization is no longer a choice but an imperative for nations. But let's not despair - by adopting the path of cautious engagement, we can still retain our individuality.

“As Gandhi once remarked, we must keep the doors and windows of our house open for cultures of other lands to come in from all directions. We just need to be strong enough not to be blown off our feet."