By Vishwamithra –

“Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.” ~ Khalil Gibran

Pardonable Crimes and Forgivable Sins. It is indeed a provocative title. Its deeper meaning could easily be misinterpreted, while its superficial message might seem utterly meaningless. Nevertheless, I chose to use such a paradoxical phrase for this column. Modern society, however, has introduced a new sociocultural dimension to history: a veil of depository. Its existence can be traced to the initial awakenings of medieval Western Europe, passed down through imperial charades to subject peoples, and inherited by us from our former masters. Whether it is an archive of hidden truths, collective amnesia, or the institutionalized myths passed down by former powers, this veil shapes how we see ourselves.

Even more ironic and blatantly bizarre is our willingness to condone the guilty by allowing them to weaponize their conduct as if there are no consequences. The Rajapaksas did not pioneer this sociocultural paradigm, nor did they invent its underlying parasitical political ailments. Yet they mastered these systems, elevating them to a new height, while dragging the country to an unacceptable new low.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power (NPP) administration find themselves navigating a formidable political and economic crisis, shaping the harsh metrics by which their governance is currently being measured. The global economy is being challenged on all fronts, and the policy responses of countries of all sizes have been closely mirrored by subsequent movements in global stock market indices. The behavior of the Sri Lankan rupee in this ‘riotous’ context has been alarming, serving as a stark early test for the NPP government.

Setting aside the rupee’s performance over the last few days, the lackadaisical stock market and its broader macroeconomic effects—or lack thereof—simply do not concern the average person on the street. None of the nuanced aspects of macroeconomics or its impact on the country’s super-rich class could distract him from the task at hand—trying to make ends meet. Just as the average citizen is deeply invested in the practical realities of society, the government should take a cue and do the same.

While President Dissanayake has commented on the rupee’s decline, the country needs more than surface-level warnings. It would be timely for a deeply analytical address explaining exactly how the Middle East crisis is affecting our economy, alongside a clear roadmap of the principles and policies planned for a meaningful recovery. Parallels can certainly be found. While Obama’s historic address on race, ‘A More Perfect Union’ was delivered on March 18, 2008, well into the primary season, the complexity of the issue and its greater influence on the totality of Obama’s campaign serve as a close parallel to AKD’s political positioning. Just as Obama became intrinsically linked to America’s racial trajectory, AKD’s inherent bond with Sri Lanka’s economic path defines his political identity.

However, their contexts differ fundamentally. Nevertheless, the challenges and ultimate objectives each leader sought to solidify are too intertwined to overlook. Obama’s speech centered on ethnic/racial identity, white-black relations, and generational scars. In contrast, the adversity AKD and the NPP must confront revolves around political and economic history. As a Marxist-aligned leader who does not come from a traditional elite background, AKD’s primary hurdle involves overcoming the stigma of the JVP’s violent insurrections in the 1970s and 1980s, and addressing deep-rooted skepticism regarding his economic recovery plans.

The strategic value of suggesting AKD make a voluminous address to clarify his roots, the history of his movement, and his vision to overcome the country’s severe economic and political adversities is a sound argument. It would mirror Obama’s strategy of taking a negative controversy and turning it into a teachable moment that unites a broader coalition of the electorate.

Beyond being a sound political strategy, the moral and patriotic message this move would send is immeasurable. There is no better way to reinstate and recover the sense of ‘trust’ that seems to be waning away with each grueling day each man and woman spends on the street. It is deeply questionable whether the United States or Israel harbors any significant empathy for a nation like Sri Lanka. Whatever activities Israel is alleged to be involved in near Arugam bay in the deep southeast are likely to become footnote stories, eclipsed by the broader, immense scale of the Middle Eastern war.

AKD’s political judgment has been proven beyond ordinary; ever since the bankruptcy debacle in 2022, he has played his cards quite proficiently. AKD expertly harnessed the widespread public anger and anti-corruption sentiment that fueled the Aragalaya-22 against the traditional political establishment. Starting with only 3.2% of the vote in the 2019 presidential election, he methodically broadened his party’s appeal, successfully shedding its radical past to build a winning coalition. His steady maneuvering culminated in a massive victory, winning the 2024 presidency and securing a sweeping parliamentary majority for his National People’s Power (NPP) coalition.

To avert economic ruin, AKD must employ the same maneuvers, tap the same resources, and mobilize the same stalwarts of the NPP—without hesitation. Any sign of delay or vacillation will be met with utter scorn and deep distrust from the same quarters- the people. Such hesitancy is an unforgivable sin.

The expectation of absolute moral perfection in political leadership is impractical. Infallibility exists only in theory, whereas human governance is inherently flawed. In the coarse and eventful journey of leadership, a true leader must always render not only sound and thoughtful judgment, but he also must be stoic and ruthless when exercising his authority. Second-guessing and regrets have no dwelling inside a leader’s head.

The current crisis confronts AKD in the most unfortunate way and in the most disproportionate dimensions. The country was slowly raising its head above the gushing waters of Cyclone Ditwah. Unlike the financial bankruptcy that was mainly caused by sheer mismanagement of the economy and wholesale corruption practiced by the Rajapaksas, AKD and the NPP-led government are today facing a potential crisis engineered and manufactured by external factors. And AKD must not hesitate to state that in the most unequivocal terms.

Rarely are leaders forced to confront such demanding circumstances; it is even rarer when honesty and candor overpower the forces of mediocrity and superficiality. Yet, when the governance of a country is challenged, the good might survive—but the great always excel, conquering the unforeseen and unforgiving.

*The writer can be reached at vishwamithra1984@gmail.com