Value of experience and maturity in navigating through tough times

This year’s Lanka Premier League – the showpiece T20 franchise cricket tournament in Sri Lanka – ended few weeks ago by producing a new winner – B-Love Kandy – thus, ending the three-year monotony of producing the same winner – Jaffna Kings – in the first three editions of the competition.

During the final, Kandy was in a tricky position. However, Sri Lanka’s most experienced international cricketer Angelo Mathews calmly guided his team towards victory. After the match, Mathews pointed out that he had to use all the experience of his 15-year career as an international cricketer to achieve the cherished victory.

One year ago, Sri Lanka was in a complete state of anarchy. The island was undergoing its worst economic and political crisis in its contemporary history. People died while they were languishing in long queues to buy fuel, powdered milk, gas cylinders, etc. Schools and universities were not functioning, and the future of the youth and children appeared bleak. It was in this backdrop, the veteran politician Ranil Wickremesinghe became President of the nation. One year into his presidency, hours-long power cuts have ended. The acute shortage of essentials has been mitigated. Schools and universities are functioning as usual, and normalcy and order have been restored. Inflation has come down to a single digit from its astronomical highs, while foreign remittances are surging, and tourist arrivals are rising.

Like Angelo Mathews, the President too would have immensely benefitted from his long decades of experience, both as a politician and public administrator, in leading his motherland towards a state of safety amidst one of the most challenging times in the history of Sri Lanka. The value of experience and maturity is precious in terms of leadership during times of turbulence and chaos.

Meanwhile, there has been a clamour from sections of the society that our country should be led by a youthful person disregarding attributes such as accomplishments and experience. The protagonists of this view draw attention to developed countries in the West having been led by middle-aged and young leaders. Nevertheless, those who espouse this school of thought ignore that Sri Lanka’s circumstances as at present differ diametrically from the utopian examples they pick from the West. Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were highly successful leaders who became heads of state in their 40s, but they led the richest country in the planet with strong systems and pillars of governance. Furthermore, Clinton before becoming President of the USA, had an impressive track record as Governor of Arkansas for more than a decade similar to Indian Premier Narendra Modi’s excellent accomplishment as Chief Minister of Gujarat prior to moving to Lok Sabha. 

Does Sri Lanka have middle-aged or young politicians who are competent and accomplished to provide leadership at a time when our country is trying to recover from its worst economic crisis in its post-independent history? Interestingly the people who demand a youthful leadership are the same individuals who voted for a septuagenarian four years ago despite his zero experience in politics. The enthusiasm to elect the septuagenarian was so much that the voters even disregarded the fact that he was either an accused or defendant in numerous civil and criminal court cases.

Today, we live in a complex world with a multiplicity of challenges. Given Sri Lanka’s location, the nation has to encounter various trials stemming from regional rivalries and conflicts between global superpowers. The formation of QUAD and the rising influence of China in the Indian Ocean have given rise to a convoluted environment in Asia; therefore, it is essential to have a leader who can grasp these complex global realities and address them successfully. More than ever, Sri Lanka needs a leader who has the maturity and astuteness to take our nation forward and manage the intricate challenges that arise both locally and internationally.