Entitlement mentality of national leaders must give way to empathy, sensitivity and morality

THE hullabaloo over whether Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW) misused public funds when he extended his official trip to Cuba and the United States of America to attend a convocation ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton where his wife received an honorary degree has consumed significant amounts of media space and has attracted various comments, observations and views in support of, and against, RW. What is obvious from the comments and the views expressed is that, just like beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, our view of right and wrong is based more on our like or dislike of the individual under scrutiny than an objective interpretation of the facts and the principles.

- By Ronnie Peiris

The blurred lines between what is public and private in presidential duties, combined with my limited understanding of the practices and rules/regulations covering the same, prevent me from giving a definitive view. However, what I can state with certainty is that the burden of transparency, disclosure of conflicts of interest, ethical conduct, accountability, and so on increases disproportionately as one climbs the ladder of leadership. Sadly, leaders who subscribe to this proactively, deliberately, and voluntarily are dwindling with each day.

In a world where technology has enabled the wider and faster dissemination of information, the credibility and trustworthiness of individuals and institutions are open to scrutiny 24 hours a day. Whether it be in the halls of government, the boardrooms of corporations, or the intimate spaces of professional practice, a heightened standard of ethical behaviour rooted in transparency is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a fundamental prerequisite for legitimacy and public confidence. It is a moral and strategic necessity that builds resilience, fosters a culture of integrity, and ensures that decisions made and/or actions taken are not made for private benefit but for the greater good of all. This standard extends beyond simple adherence to rules. It demands a proactive commitment to transparency, accountability, disclosure, and morality as the primary bulwark against abuse of privileges, corruption, favouritism, and systemic decay.

Selective respect for rule of law