FEATURE: Sri Lanka’s Path to a Resilient Leadership

By Timothy A. Edward

Sri Lankans are voting to elect their 10th President, emphasising the importance of democracy and the power of the people to choose their leader. The die is cast, the flags are hoisted, and the answer is blowing in the wind. Sri Lankans are given the democratic choice to elect their future leader for the next five years. If people are not happy with the policies and strategies of a particular government or president, they can change that situation during elections, which is the beauty of true democracy. This year, all over the world, where democracy is held at high value, we can see this happening. Now, the power is in the hands of Sri Lankan voters to elect the 10th President of their choice. Let us hope and pray for free and fair elections, where the best candidate wins.

Category 5 Financial Disaster

Despite a severe financial crisis in 2022, the nation has shown resilience and is now preparing for another presidential election. As we all know, Sri Lanka experienced a category 5 financial meltdown in 2022. Businesses all over were collapsing like matchsticks, but we as a nation robustly waded through deep turbulent waters, weathering all kinds of potential disastrous pitfalls and brought the nation to this level, where we can look forward to another highly contested presidential poll. This credit should go to the average person.

Yet, the general sentiment of Sri Lankans is that they are united in one voice that never again should we find ourselves in the likes of 2022 circumstances which were beyond our control. There are many events that led to the economic meltdown, and we as citizens of this country should do everything within our power to get help and support, be of service to one another, so that we never again have to face similar situations alone. 

Strategies such as critically communicating and asking for help fast are things that we learned as a nation, which have been turning the past traumatic experiences into future potential partnerships that can make our country flourish again. In such situations, we require talented captains and experienced navigators who can answer the call to help weather storms. All these are key features of resilient leadership.

Resilient Constitution

However, we are not totally out of the woods. We have to start repaying the loans from 2028. We need to continue our partnership with the IMF and other financial institutions. In the light of what we have gone through as a nation, one area that needs to be addressed is the strengthening of our Constitution, although people might agree to disagree on this. However, the simple rationale for strengthening the Constitution is that we should not only have economically strong cities but also economically strong provinces, whereby we will be able to build a strong country. In this regard, the public should be made fully aware of all the steps and provisions that go into the making of constitutional reforms. In other words, there is a clarion call to strengthen the Constitution to ensure both economically strong cities and provinces, aiming for a resilient country. 

Resilient Visions

We need strong leaders who have visionary ideas to rebuild and lead the nation towards a better future. My kind of work brings me in constant touch with commendable grassroots level leaders, who in their little ways have been helping to rebuild Sri Lanka, one stone at a time. I see all of these leaders having a compelling vision, which sparks and fuels the fire within them and lights the flame for others to follow their compelling leadership. Because, in a nutshell, it is the vision that leads the leaders. For resilient leaders, vision is never a problem. They use their creativity, desire to succeed and excel to cast their robust visions. A life-giving vision does not simply fall off the sky. It grows from a leader’s past and draws from the history of the people who surround that leader. Such visions are far-reaching; raising resources, serving and meeting the needs of people.

Listen to Fierce Conversations

Putting all this to a side, in the coming weeks, we are bound to hear different frequencies of conversations from diverse political platforms. As a nation, we are fortunate, because we are free to express our thoughts and opinions on subjects of national interest that affect us in the now and our generations to come in the future. As citizens, it is our duty to attentively listen to all these debates with non-biased, non-prejudiced and non-judgmental minds. If we listen carefully, we are bound to hear some conversations that are critical, edifying, uplifting and motivating. Then, it becomes our diligent duty to cast our votes for the most promising candidate, who can make the most positive changes and progress for our nation, upon whom both the favour of man and God rest.

As a leader, when you hear the hopefuls speak, tune in to the right frequency and vision with which your heart resonates. As a nation, we should be cautious that we do not cast our votes carelessly, because the very act is like being on a jury panel, and our votes will most certainly determine the future of this nation.