Could overconfident political behaviour hurt Lanka’s democracy?

Industries Minister Sunil Handunnetthi’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum created much hype on social media. While many blamed him for his proficiency of English, social media users were also concerned about whether he actually understood the questions. Perhaps the same thoughts may have crossed the minds of a considerable section of society who knew about the context of this global event.

Handunneththi was questioned about the April 2 tariff announcements and whether it would challenge the Asian economic model in manufacturing gear and exporting to the US. Handunneththi responds with the country’s relationship with China, geopolitical and demographic challenges and a focus on whether Asia is at risk. Handunneththi is then questioned about the importance of soft power, and he responds with promoting tourism in the region. Critics opine that his responses undermined the country’s soft power potential. 

Handunneththi’s performance was perceived as that of an over-confident politician. Over-confidence is a trait seen among many politicians, especially once they assume power. This very trait made many past leaders unpopular among the masses in a short period of time. Sri Lanka had leaders who went to rural areas and questioned people about their hardships. Sri Lankans have voted in politicians who promoted questionable medical concoctions during the COVID-19 pandemic and health ministers who threw herbal pots to rivers with hopes of eradicating a viral flu! There were leaders who thought they could eternally rule over the country and some who went to great lengths to prove that they are indispensable. 

However, there is a fine line between a politician and a statesman. Statesmanship by definition is the skill to manage public affairs. A quick Google search on a list of great statesmen and stateswomen suggests names such as Aung San Suu Kyi, Mahathir Mohamad, Nelson Mandela and so on. Sri Lanka too has produced some of the finest statesmen from its first Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake to the last Governor-General William Gopallawa and Leslie Goonewardene, founder of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party. All these individuals have done great things for their respective countries, and they certainly deserve a mention in history books. But one also needs to keep in mind that they performed at a time when there was no social media and at a time when the media was still at a primitive stage. 

But fast forward to the era of social media, there is absolutely no privacy for popular figures and that includes politicians as well. They are always exposed, in good times and certainly the bad. While good oratory skills are  a virtue for any politician, they also need to be well-versed on various issues and subjects. This was a trump card for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe who proved his knowledge on history and the  arts in a number of occasions. 

At the same time, people would always remember the fabricated stories made by politicians every time they see a mike and camera. For them it was always about sugar coating an issue and looking good on media. But people need a change in this trend and this is why the incumbent NPP government was voted in. 

However, apart from Handunneththi, many other politicians representing the incumbent government have been criticised for its over-confidence ever since the results of the Parliamentary Elections were announced. People started blaming the government for not delivering on promises made during the campaign trail,  but they have managed to keep people quiet as many former politicians and state officials are now being arrested on cases of corruption. 

What this government needs to keep in mind is that the world is always watching over them. Sri Lanka placed itself on the world map for ousting a President who couldn’t keep up to his promises. It only takes a second to go viral on social media. So, while keeping to their promises, politicians need to perform on a democratic note, because after all they are representing a democratic state on its road to an economic, social and political recovery.

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