Making Economics Relatable  

Rehana Thowfeek, as the Director for Civic Education at Arutha, a volunteer-run think tank focused on economic education, has made a significant impact by effectively bridging the gap between economics and public understanding in Sri Lanka. With a background that includes roles at the Institute for Health Policy and Verité Research, she currently works at a US-based tech startup and serves as a Research Consultant for the Advocata Institute. Her insights into the Sri Lankan economy were also highlighted through her contributions to Al Jazeera during the nation’s economic crisis.

During the crisis, faced with widespread misinformation and confusion, Rehana turned to social media and blogging to clarify complex economic concepts for the public. To make inflation more relatable, she developed the innovative “Big Sri Lankan Breakfast Index” (BSBI), which tracks the cost for an average family of 4-5 people to have a breakfast consisting of dhal, chicken curry, coconut sambal, and bread. Recognizing the diverse dietary habits in Sri Lanka, she later expanded the index to include two additional variants: one for pescatarians—featuring tin fish, dhal, coconut sambal, and red rice—and another for vegetarians, with eggs, dhal, coconut sambal, and samba rice.

Rehana’s dedication to public education underscores the importance of transparent and accurate communication in times of crisis. As a co-founder of Arutha, she focuses on making economic policies accessible and relevant to people’s daily lives. Her vision for the future is one where think tanks transcend academic circles, engaging directly with communities to drive tangible social impact. Through her work, she is redefining the role of civic education in empowering citizens and shaping public discourse.