Feature: Sri Lanka’s Path to Progress: Embracing Change and Leadership

By Timothy A. Edward

These are exciting times. Sri Lankans are getting ready to welcome their 10th President. The postal voting began this week, setting the tone and process for the move. Whatever happens this month, it will set our course for how we will function and operate as a nation in this era of great change.

For example, Sri Lanka must embrace the shift towards a cashless society and embrace digital technology such as AI, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), which are transforming business and governance models worldwide. This includes modernising agriculture, improving healthcare, and streamlining government services.  We can see how the world is integrating this 4th industrial revolution of advanced technologies into the manufacturing and service industry. This shift could help Sri Lanka leapfrog stages of industrial development.

Shift and Change

Then, the world is becoming increasingly divided and polarised on various issues such as economic inequality, wealth gaps, ethnic and social issues, environmental policies, public health etc., and Sri Lanka needs to find its place in this changing landscape. As a country, we have to shift and change, embracing these changes that are taking place.

Cutting Edge Blueprints

As a nation, we need a workable model of democracy and governance and the various election manifestos put forth by different candidates stand as blueprints. The various election manifestos offer different visions for the country’s future. The nation must focus on building the skills and mindset needed to overcome past setbacks and move forward.

Competencies

Sri Lanka has faced recurring challenges such as unemployment, education, and ethnic and religious conflicts. It is crucial to address these to propel the nation forward. As a nation, our call is to develop competencies and mindset to pick it from where we lost it. As a nation, we have lost it again and again. In almost every decade, we have had to deal in a compound manner with some of the above-mentioned issues that have had devastating effects on our nation, putting our nation on the back-foot rather than propelling us forward.

We have to cease and desist from such unproductive activities that have been adding fuel to the fire and embrace changes such as respecting human rights, where we hear the voices of children and the elderly and promoting children’s survival, development and participation, since our children are our future. Emphasising respect for human rights and the voices of children is essential for the country’s development.

Enlarge and Increase

For it is essential that our emerging leaders should know the way, go in that way and show the way to others. Leaders should be close to people but also ahead of people to motivate and encourage them.

The focus should be on enlarging and increasing opportunities for all citizens, ensuring a prosperous future for the country.