Sri Lanka Needs a Leader with Vision..!

(By Sudath Chandrasekara)

Sri Lanka is facing a serious shortage of visionary leadership. When power falls into the hands of rulers who lack a clear vision or a defined purpose for the future of their nation, chaos and decline become almost inevitable. Unfortunately, this is the reality confronting Sri Lanka today.

The fate of both the country and its people has deteriorated to a deeply distressing level. However, the public cannot be blamed entirely for this situation. What they did was place their trust in a group that claimed to possess a new vision and promised to break away from the traditional cycle of political power shifts. They simply chose to give a new experiment a chance.

Yet, it has now become increasingly evident that the current administration is unable to rescue the country from its ongoing crises. Put simply, the present rulers speak grandly, but their actions fall far short of their promises.

The Walking Culture and the Three-Wheeler Revolution

In earlier decades, Sri Lankans commonly travelled on foot, even for relatively short distances. As the economy gradually improved, people became accustomed to using three-wheelers and motorcycles. Except for exercise purposes, it became increasingly rare to find people walking several kilometres to meet their daily needs. This shift occurred largely because three-wheeler services became widely available and relatively affordable.

However, as fuel prices continued to rise, three-wheeler fares also increased. Despite the growing cost, people continued to rely on them because walking had become an unfamiliar part of daily life. Consumers absorbed the additional expense with considerable difficulty.

Ministers’ Curious Logic and the “Candlelight Life”

Today, however, the situation has changed dramatically. With the soaring cost of living, three-wheeler fares have become unaffordable for many families. As a result, people are once again being forced to walk, not by choice but by necessity.

What is remarkable is that some policymakers attempt to justify this reality rather than address its root causes. Government ministers have argued that walking is beneficial for health and can help reduce non-communicable diseases, thereby easing pressure on hospitals and lowering public healthcare expenditure.

Sri Lankans have also witnessed ministers advising citizens to switch to kerosene lamps when electricity tariffs increase. Perhaps they have forgotten that the price of kerosene has also risen sharply. One can almost imagine them suggesting candles as an alternative, claiming that people might even enjoy the experience.

After all, in luxury hotels, candlelit dining is often regarded as an elegant lifestyle choice. By the same logic, ordinary citizens might be encouraged to embrace a so-called “Candlelight Life” while struggling to pay their electricity bills.

Visionary Leadership of the Past and the Vacuum of the Present

Regardless of such arguments, it is the ordinary people who ultimately bear the burden of economic hardship. The primary reason, many would argue, is the absence of leadership with a clear national vision.

Sri Lanka has previously been led by statesmen who possessed strategic foresight and long-term perspectives. Leaders such as J. R. Jayewardene, Lalith Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayake, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Ronnie de Mel were widely regarded as leaders who looked beyond immediate political gains and focused on long-term national development.

Today, many observers believe that such mature leadership is increasingly difficult to find. Among contemporary political figures, some see individuals such as Patali Champika Ranawaka as possessing a distinct vision and policy-oriented approach to governance.

The Erosion of State Prestige and Public Discipline

In the past, President J. R. Jayewardene required Members of Parliament to wear either the national dress or formal Western attire, thereby enhancing the dignity and prestige of the country's highest legislative institution and the Presidency itself.

Similarly, former President Ranasinghe Premadasa made neckties mandatory for executive-grade public officials as a means of preserving professional standards, institutional discipline, and the dignity associated with public office.

Critics argue that contemporary standards have declined significantly. They point to increasingly casual attire among some political leaders and public officials as a reflection of a broader deterioration in institutional culture and discipline. As the saying goes, when leadership lowers standards, followers are likely to do the same.

A Question for the Nation

Ultimately, Sri Lanka faces a fundamental question. Will the country continue down a path of uncertainty and decline, watching passively as existing problems deepen? Or will its citizens unite behind a genuine vision for national renewal and meaningful change..? The answer, and the future of the nation, rests with the people themselves..!