by Milinda Rajasekera
Dismissing the belief that leadership is built through politics, he has said that real leaders are those who combine their physical and mental resources. This reference to the need for good leaders is quite appropriate today because this is a time when the voters of this country are getting ready to choose leaders to local government bodies. Moreover, intense struggles are on today for leadership positions in several political parties and in other organizations.
The subject of leadership, in fact, has been one of perennial public interest throughout history. Various views have been expressed by philosophers and other commentators on types and qualities of leaders in politics and in various other spheres of activity. Plato, for instance, wanted the leader of his ideal republic to be a philosopher-king, combining all the moral and intellectual virtues and possessing both philosophical and practical wisdom.
People have always looked for excellence of mind and character in those who vie for leadership in their communities. There have been political leaders; good and bad, liberal and autocratic, democratic and dictatorial. Some of them have been as autocratic as to utter statements that no modern leader would dare make today. Louis XIV said, “I’m the state” and Adolf Hitler said, “I’m the law.” It was indeed to curb such authoritarian tendencies of leaders that constitutional safeguards were prescribed by political thinkers. The experts knew that even the best of leaders had the propensity for developing megalomaniac tendencies as they taste power. We observe today the phenomenon of political leaders in certain countries making attempts to hang on to their positions steadfastly. Even when they are outvoted in democratic elections they refuse to quit.
It is in this context of struggles for leadership that we witness in this country today persons, aspiring and ambitious, swarming around selection committees of political parties seeking nominations for contesting for provincial leadership positions. They show great eagerness to offer their services to the people. Whether all these aspirants for leadership are motivated by genuine reasons is a question that engages the attention of most people today.
A leader, according to enlightened opinion, must primarily be interested in the welfare of the people rather than in his own advancement. He must possess a sound sense of judgement of men and matters. He must have the courage to take risks in taking decisions in the common interest and win the trust and confidence of the people he hopes to serve. It is the impulse of compassion and feeling for the sufferings of the poor, the oppressed and the disadvantaged that should motivate a person to take up leadership in a community. A leader so motivated would not inordinately hanker after fame and glory although such things come to him as a matter of course.
How would such a leader take decisions on issue that arise from time to time? Would he act merely as a servant of the people, doing and saying things to please the people and win popularity or follow his own conscience and judgement and persuade people to follow him? In John Stuart Mill’s view, a leader who has been chosen for good qualities, wisdom and experience, should take decisions himself. In Leo Tolstoy’s view, great leaders are only illustrious puppets, moved around by historical forces beyond their ken. According to his view, these leaders, far from being extraordinary or heroic, are small ordinary men who happen to occupy the centre stage in an immense drama.
In today’s Sri Lankan politics, leaders endowed with qualities described above are indeed rare as stated by Minister Alahapperuma. It is for the voters, therefore, to exercise great care in choosing their members in the forthcoming election. They should make every endeavour to ascertain whether the candidates seeking their support possess at least the basic qualities of honesty, integrity, dedication, competence, compassion and genuine patriotism. After choosing and electing them it is also the duty of the people to carefully watch the progress and performances of those elected.
It is also observed that some people look for qualities and excellence that they woefully lack themselves. While indulging in worst forms of corrupt and dishonest activities, they accuse their leaders of bribery and corruption. They castigate the leaders for their duplicity while being guilty of hypocrisy themselves. They bask in luxury and extravagance utilizing all avenues created by current policies but condemn leaders for their profligacy. While accusing the leaders of acts of revenge they resort to worst forms of vengeance. They commit acts of violence in their own families and organizations and create disunity and strife but condemn their political parties for the same acts. This is the extent to which the practice of double standards has overwhelmed the country as a national malaise.
 Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperum...){kind=link}
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