Renu Marley is a Sinhalese of Sri Lanka-origin domiciled in London currently chairing the Sri Lankan’s Expatriate and Diaspora’s Association UK just returned to her adopted country after attending the Sri Lanka government-sponsored ‘Sri Lankan Expatriate Investment symposium’ in Colombo.
In an open letter to all Sri Lankans and Sri Lankan expatriates domiciled in other countries she analyses the psyche of (retd) General Sarath Fonseka who aspires to be a candidate of a hurriedly assembled political grouping of Sri Lanka’s opposition at the forthcoming presidential election in January.
In describing the character of Fonseka Ms. Marley describes in this open letter “He has abandoned the Tour of duty. I am not sure he understood what he was supposed to do as the very first General of the country CDS HE has offered to him. It was a mammoth task; he just did it for three months and moan about it. A leader with vision has a clear, vivid picture of where to go, as well as a firm grasp on what success looks like and how to achieve it. But it’s not enough to have a vision; leaders must also share it and act upon it. A leader must be able to communicate his or her vision in terms that cause followers to buy into it. He or she must communicate clearly and passionately, as passion is contagious. On American temple speech he scored zero for me. I expect him to develop the country with my people not to try in to the race to run it.”
Then she connects the above observation to this: “A good leader must have the discipline to work toward his or her vision single-mindedly, as well as to direct his or her actions and those of the team toward the goal. Action is the mark of a leader. A leader does not suffer “analysis paralysis” but is always doing something in pursuit of the vision, inspiring others to do the same. Well huge egotism dos not help, you have to be humble sometimes to get where you want to get.”
The Chair of Sri Lankan expatriate association in UK she questions Fonseka’s judgment in this manner: “Integrity is the integration of outward actions and inner values. A person of integrity is the same on the outside and on the inside. Such an individual can be trusted because he or she never veers from inner values, even when it might be expeditious to do so. A leader must have the trust of followers and therefore must display integrity. By joining UNP and Soldier killers of the past JVP coop he lost that integrity fro me too.”
Here is the full text of the OPEN LETTER to all Brothers and Sisters of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan expatriates living outside their country of birth.
(Begin Text)
Dear Brothers and Sisters with love
I just came back from SL as Expatriates Delegation with lots of hopes and passions to take back to SL. the idea of investments so we can do our part to the country as we have done for the last 15 years or so. H E treated us well and his team look after us so well. We had fun and met up with lots of important people. We had a trip to Jaffna and IDP camps all that things.
Had good look at the political situation in SL too. Now back to reality and here.
My inbox is full with lots of emails from all of you about the SF saga. It seems to me that I have no choice but to write to you all or participate on this debate now. I think that this is a big subjects and needs to analyze in a way where people can make sense.
Dedication means spending whatever time or energy is necessary to accomplish the task at hand. So I decided to write to you all. This is a Very very sad and disappointing episode, bad combination for democracy of SL having gone through all these heart aches bloodshed over 30 years and before than that too and in the end we were just about to come out of this dark tunnel to see the day light, well here we go.
We just managed to do what we best at divide and rule just like the Emperor the Brits. When people do not know the decorum this is the problem, as a military officer he should have had more sense. You need to understand how the system works. I still have faith with SF as he has not declared the interest yet? Fingers cross.
The UNP and LTTE’s whatever the left of have managed to destroy a good Commander who was a very good friend of H E & his team. These UNPers want to win somehow and make money out of the War so if they sell their mother to do that they do not care. We all understand and agreed upon the notions of mismanagement and corruptions etc., that there certain levels of dissatisfactions happening and internal rifts etc. As a Military man who managed to get to Paraya’s brain why didn’t ‘he managed to brake in to these groups who are trying to divide his relationship with the Head of the State?
I only want to do is that sit with him and apply one of those conflict resolution methodology, just to make some sense out of all these. I only can predict or relate to his ( Sarath Fonseka ) work if he ever goes for the LTTE bait that then there is situation is similar to the Idi Amin in Africa.
Either ways who start it is not the issue, it is how they are going to bury the hatch and move forward. Gratefully and gracefully H E has rewarded SF with the CDS, he should have served few years make changes through his post to the Country see the differences take credits where due for that too, then prove himself to the people of SL. See progress through thoroughly. According to him he is still under threat from LTTE, then why bothers leaving the uniform at all now? At least he knows that uniform would have protected him. He is only going to let down those boys and putting them in to an occurred situation. If he cannot managed with the Gotha and the teams how can he run the country?
We Sri Lankan have short memory span (I’m only a Singhalese not a SL) do not like to mix Military styles and civilian’s politics together. Separations of powers are very important to us, so you can run the country according to the people‘s wish, if everyone want to be the leader there won’t be anyone left to govern. He did not fix those boys who he sent to war, he did not raise money to build houses for them, he did not find solutions for the civilians who he left behind in the camps, that was his duty. With his ability as the greatest commander who defeated most ruthless terrorists organization he would have establish a counter terrorisms techniques’. Sell our boys to worldwide conflicts zone. Show the world what we are capable of. So we can defeat all those Pirates of Somalia, show the business world that SL is the bomb where they can come with their wealth Yachts’ we will protect them with our Navy patrolling around the sea. We make money you see they have not got the vision.
He has abandoned the Tour of duty. I am not sure he understood what he was supposed to do as the very first General of the country CDS HE has offered to him. It was a mammoth task; he just did it for three months and moan about it. A leader with vision has a clear, vivid picture of where to go, as well as a firm grasp on what success looks like and how to achieve it. But it’s not enough to have a vision; leaders must also share it and act upon it. A leader must be able to communicate his or her vision in terms that cause followers to buy into it. He or she must communicate clearly and passionately, as passion is contagious. On American temple speech he scored zero for me. I expect him to develop the country with my people not to try in to the race to run it.
A good leader must have the discipline to work toward his or her vision single-mindedly, as well as to direct his or her actions and those of the team toward the goal. Action is the mark of a leader. A leader does not suffer “analysis paralysis” but is always doing something in pursuit of the vision, inspiring others to do the same. Well huge egotism dos not help, you have to be humble sometimes to get where you want to get.
Integrity is the integration of outward actions and inner values. A person of integrity is the same on the outside and on the inside. Such an individual can be trusted because he or she never veers from inner values, even when it might be expeditious to do so. A leader must have the trust of followers and therefore must display integrity. By joining UNP and Soldier killers of the past JVP coop he lost that integrity fro me too.
Honest dealings, predictable reactions, well-controlled emotions, and an absence of tantrums and harsh outbursts are all signs of integrity. A leader who is centered in integrity will be more approachable by followers. He just shows the traits of Military commanding styles still and I recently have to deal with MOD well they just have not got a clue. If SF comes and those people take over my father’s land well god bless them all.
Magnanimity means giving credit where it is due. A magnanimous leader ensures that credit for successes is spread as widely as possible throughout the participants. Conversely, a good leader takes personal responsibility for failures. This sort of reverse magnanimity helps other people feel good about them and draws the team closer together. To spread the fame and take the blame is a hallmark of effective leadership. Well now I hear it is all about shifting the blame and crying over the other people’s toys.
Leaders with humility recognize that they are no better or worse than other members of the team. A humble leader is not self-effacing but rather tries to elevate everyone. Leaders with humility also understand that their status does not make them a god. Mahatma Gandhi is a role model for Indian leaders, and he pursued a “follower-centric” leadership role. SF was too quick to lead without his followers. You need to be a good Sheppard find all of your lost sheep’s as that is the way forward.
Openness means being able to listen to new ideas, even if they do not conform to the usual way of thinking. Good leaders are able to suspend judgment while listening to others’ ideas, as well as accept new ways of doing things that someone else thought of. Openness builds mutual respect and trust between leaders and followers, and it also keeps the team well supplied with new ideas that can further its vision. He should have had more patients with DS n all these little boys and girls who trying to get involves. He should not have given in to these stupid rumors not sink in or stoop to their level. I suppose that goes to MY Hero M R too. They should have honored their space.
Creativity is the ability to think differently, to get outside of the box that constrains solutions. Creativity gives leaders the ability to see things that others have not seen and thus lead followers in new directions. The most important question that a leader can ask is, “What if … ?” Possibly the worst thing a leader can say is, “I know this is a dumb question ... ” Well this is where he failed expecting his solder boys and their parents to support him, then scarifies them over military coop, then thinking that he has the visions. He needs to understand Brotherly love, blood is thicker than water, respect that theory and H E needs all his friends and family around him with some intelligent to get our 3/2 majority. Then only we can see through real changes.
Fairness means dealing with others consistently and justly. A leader must check all the facts and hear everyone out before passing judgment. He or she must avoid leaping to conclusions based on incomplete evidence. When people feel they that are being treated fairly, they reward a leader with loyalty and dedication.
Assertiveness is not the same as aggressiveness. Rather, it is the ability to clearly state what one expects so that there will be no misunderstandings. A leader must be assertive to get the desired results. Along with assertiveness comes the responsibility to clearly understand what followers expect from their leader. Well you all know what is these all about.
Many leaders have difficulty striking the right amount of assertiveness, according to a study in the February 2007 issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, published by the APA (American Psychological Association). It seems that being underassertive or overassertive may be the most common weakness among aspiring leaders.
A sense of humor is vital to relieve tension and boredom, as well as to defuse hostility. Effective leaders know how to use humor to energize followers. Humor is a form of power that provides some control over the work environment. And simply put, humor fosters good camaraderie. I am not sure whether any SL possess this quality as they do not have fun at all the all tight assess thinking they all have taken the wows to become a Buddhist Priest. Well I suggest they all need t loosen up a bit and have some fun. Life is too short to be too serious, must have disciplines, but not necessary not to have simple and harmless fun.
Intrinsic traits such as intelligence, good looks, height and so on are not necessary to become a leader. Anyone can cultivate the proper leadership traits. I think it is up to your readers to judge al that.
An obituary for Amin (going back in to my personality match) published in 'The Sydney Morning Herald' on 18 August 2003 eloquently summarizes the predicament. "Amin's tragedy, like that of so many Africans, was to have admired a civilization whose external trappings he strongly desired, but of whose internal workings he had no idea, while at the same time he was partly enclosed in the mental world of a primitive tribalism," the obituary concludes.( so we might have the similar situation) you never know.
Therefore I rather stay with the devil I know. If he did not come out with the UNP and JVP I would have taken him as a serious candidate who really cares about the democracy of the country. That he really wants to make the changes. This is not the case anymore as he just wants to be the king, or the shows off to Mahinda brothers that he is the man and he got the power.
I thought he was a strategist and tell you the truth I am surprise now, however until fat lady sings we cannot come in to any conclusions yet. We need healthy Oppositions in the country to be democratic and sustainable. I am sure you or we none of us a not afraid of having. As you all notice our Parliament is a Laughing stock and a joke right now. All the others suppose to be Oppositions are defunct. Looking at the way things are I now know that he’s a novice to politics. He has to go through all sorts before he get burns. Therefore I rather he makes up with the President and work with him as we are sharing the tables with Mutthaiya Karuna, it is not a very hard task. I think that is the best way. Otherwise he needs to go alone as an independent candidate so he can prove his potentials and the point then we will take him as a serious candidate.
In conclusion Idi Amin "He was a product of multiculturalism, African-style, and able to use relatively advanced methods to achieve brutal, primitive ends. Like every African dictator, he will be confusion’s masterpiece." I hope that I never have to write that about Sarath.
With Solidarity
Renu Marley
Chair- Sri Lankan’s Expatriate & Diaspora's Association UK (SEDA)
- Asian Tribune -
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