Lost opportunities and cost of mistakes

SRI Lanka today is not merely facing a crisis—it is confronting the cumulative cost of missed opportunities and flawed judgments over time.

- By Tennakoon Rusiripala

What we are witnessing is not an isolated downturn, but the gradual consequence of decisions taken without sufficient foresight, depth, and strategic clarity The present condition of the country, therefore, must be understood not simply as a moment of difficulty, but as the outcome of a pattern—one where opportunities were overlooked, undervalued, or mismanaged.

At this critical juncture, the country appears to be navigating a phase where the absence of seasoned political judgment is increasingly felt. Complex national challenges—economic restructuring, institutional reform, and social stability—demand not only technical solutions but also the steady hand of experience. Policy missteps today carry far greater consequences than in the past, given the fragile economic and social environment within which the country operates.

There is, therefore, a compelling need for the active involvement and guidance of experienced political leadership. Such individuals, having weathered past crises, bring with them a depth of understanding, institutional memory, and the ability to anticipate unintended consequences—qualities that are indispensable in times of uncertainty. Experience, in this context, is not merely about longevity in office, but about exposure to complexity, crisis management, and the discipline of governance.

The current aggravation of the national situation may, in part, be attributed to the limited engagement of this reservoir of experience. While new leadership and fresh perspectives are essential, they must be complemented by the wisdom and prudence of those who have previously steered the country through difficult periods. The exclusion—whether deliberate or incidental—of such experience creates a vacuum in decision-making, often leading to avoidable errors and policy inconsistencies.