Your chance to re-write history Mr. President! A second letter to AKD……. – by Aubrey Joachim**
Dear Mr. President,
Your victories have been stunning to say the least. Winning the top job was good enough. Your virtual clean sweep of the legislative chamber is more than impressive. However, unprecedented is your victory in the North where for the first time in modern political history a Sinhalese Buddhist has been given a mandate by the Tamil Hindu populace. Let this be the last time that Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans have to be referred to by race or religion. You have ensured that our great country is but one nation of people who can achieve greatness.
The last time that our island nation was under one ruler – except when a British Monarch held sway during colonisation – was is 1153 AD when the Great King Parakramabahu I reigned over the entire country after a long civil war and beating his opponents just as you have beaten your detractors. I need not remind you of his achievements in the areas of nation building and people welfare. Not only did he build massive assets to boost agricultural production but also built hospitals and social welfare units for his subjects a true king of the people. He beautified the City of Polonnaruwa with parks and lakes and even came up with the concept of public toilets – a replica of which can be seen in the Colombo museum. He boosted trade with China, Angkor and the Middle East recognising that Sri Lanka was the junction of major maritime trade routes. When his engineers and architects were sceptical about his wish to build massive assets, he is reckoned to have said, “What is there in the world that cannot be carried out by people of energy?”. Mr. President you have certainly energised the nation of Sri Lanka. Harness this energy to lift our nation to greatness again.
Just as President Barack Obama modelled his leadership on Abraham Lincoln, you may well be advised to take the lessons of perhaps the greatest Sri Lankan King to have ruled – you may well come from the same blood line!
But greatness begins with small but relevant steps. In your short tenure in the top job you have demonstrated glimpses of what lies ahead. You have now been given an overwhelming second mandate by your subjects. You can virtually do anything you wish. But with unfettered power comes huge responsibility. Use your power wisely and always remember – you are but a servant of the people.
You have been blessed with an abundance of talent in your recently elected legislative chamber – a true microcosm of the nation. Every ethnicity, religion, educational, competency, discipline and age demographic is represented. For the first time in the history of Sri Lankan politics a humble estate worker has been afforded an opportunity to participate in political decisions. Even a 26-year-old has been accommodated in the chamber. You are already walking the talk much to the chagrin of your opponents.
Your party has presented a commendable manifesto, a prospectus that the electorate have bought into and as stakeholders they will be expecting the returns you promised. As the country’s CEO you must carefully appoint your senior executives who will implement your strategies and deliver results. There is no doubt that the IQ of parliament has risen several notches. You yourself have demonstrated an uncanny ability to grasp situations, understand the numbers and demonstrated a willingness to learn fast. You will no doubt appoint to your sleek 25-person cabinet of ministers the brightest and best. Heed their counsel and work as a team. Remember the adage – the captain may not be the best player on the field but one who can lead effectively and motivate the team to perform at its best. Lead by example. Ensure you set key performance indicators for delivering your promised outcomes. Produce for us a regular scorecard of achievements.Among the early indications of a national renaissance is the vast change that has been seen in the psyche of the masses. Quiet and peaceful elections, no over-exuberance of celebratory behaviour and a genuine sense of calm expectations. You yourself are leading from the front – even opening your car door yourself. You have done away with the pomp and pageantry that your predecessors reveled in. All good signs of a man of the people.
One of the traits you have demonstrated is your abhorrence of corruption – the plague that beset the nation for far too long bringing the country down to the lowest point. Ensure that you make anti- corruption a prime focus of your government. Do not tolerate anyone within your team who succumbs to this vile behaviour. Let this precept also change the behaviour of the people of Sri Lanka. If you achieve this mindset change, you will be revered forever.
Remember too that the success of a country and its recognition on the global stage is its level of governance and adherence to the rule of law – facets that, sadly, previous regimes failed to recognise. Your people expect this. You now have the legislative powers to enact laws to bring to book the miscreants. The people are watching and waiting.
Finally, Mr President let me remind you that King Parakramabahu I ruled Sri Lanka for a long 33 years. His achievements are written on stone and can never be erased. You, Mr President, have the opportunity to emulate or better the feats of Parakramabahu 800 years on and have your achievements written in the digital space.
Do not squander the opportunity to re-write the history of Sri Lanka you have already made a start! May you long rule this land.
May God Bless You and your team.
Yours Sincerely,
Your humble subjects of Mother Lanka.
** The author – former Global President of CIMA– is an Australian citizen of Sri Lankan descent and is not a dual citizen, but closely follows the happenings in his motherland.
ALSO NOTE ………………….. https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Colombo:-the-promises-of-newly-elected-President-Dissanayake-61561.html
By now, the humble subjects of Lanka must live in the fervent hope that ‘expert’ expats return to help turn their wise words into deeds.
YES …. Approving and accclaiming a “FRESH BED” means lying on it [with or without consummation !!]
It is an excellent piece on modern political strategy influenced by history, learning from past leaders’ success in encouraging positive governance, and advocating for visionary leadership strategies for the historical resurrection of a fallen nation based on lessons from past leaders invoking the great king Walagamahu’s legacy, – Nandi J. Former DDG, United Nations.
Mr. President, the task before you is both monumental and deeply consequential. Leadership at this juncture demands a careful balance of wisdom, foresight, and an unshakable commitment to the greater good. Drawing lessons from individuals who exemplified integrity and vision—such as Marcus Aurelius, Nelson Mandela, and Lee Kuan Yew—provides a profound framework for your presidency. These leaders, though separated by time and circumstance, shared a dedication to justice, unity, and pragmatic governance that reshaped their nations.
The philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, as articulated in his Meditations, is a reminder that leadership must be rooted in virtue and guided by an unwavering sense of duty to those you serve. The decisions you make, even in the face of adversity, should transcend political expedience and reflect a commitment to fairness and justice. The Roman emperor’s quiet emphasis on humility and self-discipline can serve as a personal compass, ensuring that your actions resonate with the enduring principles of good governance.
Nelson Mandela’s ability to bring a fractured nation together stands as a testament to the transformative power of forgiveness and inclusion. Sri Lanka’s journey, marked by periods of strife and discord, calls for a leader who can transcend divisions and foster unity among all communities. Mandela’s legacy shows us that reconciliation is not merely an abstract ideal but a necessary foundation for progress. Policies aimed at equal opportunity and mutual respect will build trust and ensure that all citizens feel invested in the nation’s future.
Lee Kuan Yew, in contrast, was a pragmatist who understood that economic transformation is essential to national stability. His ability to turn Singapore into a global success story was grounded in meticulous planning, an unrelenting fight against corruption, and a focus on human capital development. These principles can guide Sri Lanka toward economic recovery and growth. A concerted effort to modernize infrastructure, attract investment, and cultivate a skilled workforce is not merely desirable but indispensable. At the same time, transparency and efficiency in governance will signal to the world that Sri Lanka is a nation ready to engage with the global economy on equal footing.
Integrity must be your lodestar. Corruption erodes public trust and undermines the foundations of progress. Lee Kuan Yew’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption offers a template for action: fortify institutions, enforce accountability at all levels, and make clear through deeds that no one is above the law. In this, the moral clarity of your leadership will speak louder than words.
Nelson Mandela once observed that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” That sentiment resonates deeply in Sri Lanka’s context. An investment in education—particularly in areas that align with the needs of a modern economy, such as technology and vocational training—will empower the next generation to drive the nation’s resurgence.
Finally, let the stoicism of Marcus Aurelius guide your perspective on leadership: patience and resilience are indispensable virtues. Reform, by its nature, is slow and often met with resistance. Yet, enduring change requires a steadfast commitment to a long-term vision. Communicate this vision clearly and consistently, ensuring that your people understand both the challenges ahead and the purpose of the sacrifices required.
As Sri Lanka stands on the cusp of renewal, your presidency represents a singular opportunity to guide the nation toward unity, prosperity, and hope. The examples of Marcus Aurelius, Nelson Mandela, and Lee Kuan Yew demonstrate that true leadership is measured not in power wielded, but in the legacy of dignity, equity, and progress left behind.
2/2
Dear Thuppahi,
Sri Lanka is blessed to now have such lea leader, just as it has nong been blessed with an emanuensis who will be able to chronicle his achievements for all of us to fully grasp, appreciate. and acknowledge, Respectfully and with best wishes, John Richardson
Very interestingly presented.
Will somebody do an appreciation of Dr. Michael Joachim, the first Sri Lankan to receive a PhD in Housing and contributed all life searching for better housing for the poor in Sri Lanka.
I consider him as one of my ‘gurus’ who directed me to “Learning from the People”.
I played cricket with MICHAEL JOACHIM — probably in the late 60s Dailyd News Trophy or earlier in the UNI-CEYLON B Team circa 1960; so I will be very interested in a thorough Vale and recounting of Michael’s career –with some photos of MICHAEL at different age brackets. Thanks. ….Michael Roberts in Adelaide.
Beautifully written with critical and well considered points. I echo the message that you so eloquently pointed out: “with unfettered power comes huge responsibility” and affirm the notion that the the function of a Presidency is above all to serve the people. So, it is to this point that I also add caution : while it maybe aspirational to model the governance of a country on the rule of a great king, it should never be the aspiration of a democratically elected president to want to be a King. (There are important lessons to be learnt from misakes made in the past that stand testimony to this) And finally, if I may, this open letter ought not be by ‘humble subjects,’ but by the proud and unified citizens of mother Lanka.
Yes, look forward to hearing actually how many expatriates with Western citizenship will give up their citizenship and return to Sri lanka. It is relatively easy to do in Australia.
As for the new President’s actions, he has already squandered a golden opportunity by not appointing a Tamil to the post of Prime Minister. The UK may well have a Prime Minister whose family migrated there from India 2 Generations ago, the US may have a Vice President who is the daughter of an Indian mother but it will be snowing in hell before a Tamil, whose family has probably been in Sri Lanka for forty generations, becomes Prime Minister or President.
Excellent letter from Joachim reflecting the wishes and hopes of many not only certainly in Sri Lanka right now but also all of well-wishers around the globe, particularly the Ceylon- and Sri Lankan-born diaspora comprising a wide variety of ethnicities and political leanings mirroring contemporary Sri Lanka.