Dr. Patrick Mendis: Resource of immense value for national renaissance in Sri Lanka

Dr. Patrick Mendis’s unparalleled experience spanning US government service, international diplomacy, academia, and strategic defence stands out as precisely what the island-nation needs. With a reputation as an award-winning diplomat, educator, author, and a proud son of Sri Lanka, Dr. Mendis embodies the expertise, credibility, and global perspective that could prove invaluable

Sri Lanka stands on the threshold of monumental change. The landslide victory of the National People’s Power (NPP), securing both the Presidency and a commanding 159-seat majority in Parliament, signals a desire for a radical transformation in governance. After 76 years of post-independence mismanagement and financial crises, the public has grown weary of corruption, poverty, and social decay. To rebuild, the new administration has committed to tapping into the expertise of Sri Lankans who have excelled on the global stage.

Having already appointed Dr. Hans Wijesuriya as Chief Advisor and Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, it is hopeful that the Government will explore similar high-profile appointments that can steer the nation through a complex web of international relations, defence concerns, and economic development. 

One remarkable candidate for such a senior advisory or consultative role is Dr. Patrick Mendis.

A journey from Polonnaruwa to the White House

Dr. Mendis’s life story begins amid the paddy fields of Polonnaruwa, where he herded his grandfather’s water buffaloes. Despite these humble origins, he embarked on an extraordinary path that took him to the White House, where he provided counsel under five different US Presidents. Dr. Mendis has always championed the principle that true diplomacy respects both wings of the political divide. He often likens this to the bald eagle, which needs both wings to soar. His bipartisan mindset has served him well, earning the trust of a range of Democratic and Republican administrations in Washington from Presidents Reagan, Clinton to Bush and Obama to Trump and Biden.

Despite a storied international career,  Dr. Patrick Mendis has repeatedly expressed his willingness to support Sri Lanka wholeheartedly if called upon

Extensive diplomatic and academic expertise

Currently appointed by the Biden-Harris White House to the U.S. National Security Education Board at the Department of Defense, Dr. Mendis has also served as a military professor in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Indo-Pacific Commands. Over the years, he has held senior roles in various US departments, such as Agriculture, Defence, Energy, and State, giving him deep insights into government operations, international relations, and United Nations affairs.

A prolific scholar, Dr. Mendis has authored over 300 books, journal articles, and reports, while teaching at more than 25 Chinese universities and visiting over 140 countries. His academic pedigree includes the University of Minnesota and Harvard University, and he has held research and teaching appointments at prestigious institutions like Harvard’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Yale, Columbia, George Mason University, and several universities in Europe and Asia.

Why Sri Lanka needs Dr. Mendis now

Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean, often described as a “teardrop” off the southern tip of India, has attracted keen interest from global powers such as India, China, and the United States. Successive Sri Lankan Governments have navigated between competing foreign interests, sometimes inviting China into infrastructure projects that have sparked tensions with India and the US. 

As a former American diplomat who understands the intricacies of US foreign policy and global power structures, Dr. Mendis is uniquely positioned to help Sri Lanka to balance these international relationships. 

He has, after all, served across Democratic and Republican administrations, worked as a Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Mission at the United Nations, and consulted for key global institutions like the World Bank. 

Few figures can match his blend of defence acumen, diplomatic savvy, and first-hand experience of managing high-level negotiations with major world powers.

Aligning with NPP’s vision for a ‘renaissance’ in Sri Lanka

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration has made it clear they intend to open the doors to talented Sri Lankans who can uplift the nation. Just as Dr. Hans Wijesuriya is revamping Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure, Dr. Mendis could guide policymakers through the thicket of foreign alliances and economic partnerships. 

With his background in national security, scientific cooperation, and bilateral trade, Dr. Mendis could help formulate strategies that ensure Sri Lanka maintains its sovereignty while forging beneficial agreements with global partners. His proven commitment to bipartisan cooperation mirrors the NPP’s call for unity, transparency, and the will to break free from historical patterns of corruption.

A patriotic desire to serve

Despite a storied international career, Dr. Patrick Mendis has repeatedly expressed his willingness to support Sri Lanka wholeheartedly if called upon, as he represented Sri Lanka as its Youth Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. 

By establishing the Patrick Mendis Prize and the Sarvodaya Peace Prize in Sri Lanka, he has also already shown this dedication through academic collaborations. Most recently, he was named a distinguished visiting professor and honorary fellow at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, while continuing to serve as a visiting professor of global affairs in Taiwan and a visiting professor of transatlantic relations at the University of Warsaw in Poland. 

Dr. Mendis’s openness to returning home, even in a consultative capacity, is a reflection of his ongoing belief in Sri Lanka’s potential and a desire to help guide its next historic chapter.

Sri Lanka could benefit from Dr. Mendis’ unparalleled experience

 Sri Lanka’s renewed promise under the National People’s Power Government hinges on bold, knowledgeable, and globally connected advisers who can help steer the country away from past failures. 

Dr. Patrick Mendis’s unparalleled experience spanning US government service, international diplomacy, academia, and strategic defence stands out as precisely what the island-nation needs. With a reputation as an award-winning diplomat, educator, author, and a proud son of Sri Lanka, Dr. Mendis embodies the expertise, credibility, and global perspective that could prove invaluable. 

Offering him a senior advisory or global negotiating role would not only draw upon his decades of international exposure, but also symbolises Sri Lanka’s commitment to forging a future defined by honest governance, strategic alliances, and equitable economic development.

(The writer is a Sri Lankan-born accomplished journalist and broadcaster, offering international perspectives on management and leadership for national development. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Theology in the United States.)