By Sarath Wijesinghe PC., Solicitor of the U.K., Former Ambassador to the U.A.E. and Israel, Former secretary to Bar Association and The President,  Ambassadors Forum U.K. and Sri Lanka, With research and editorial assistance by Sugandhika K.  Hangilipola, Attorney-at-Law.

I just received a book written by Prof. Sirisena Amarasekara on a very timely and unusual topic for a senior Sri Lankan administrator, polymath, and senior citizen: writing on the pandemonium in Sri Lanka and the path ahead.

Having risen from a village school in Walasmulla to become a professor and hold high-ranking government positions, he draws deeply from his rich childhood experiences and broad administrative knowledge. Written in simple, clear language without losing its core meaning, the book offers great value by analyzing socio-economic, political, administrative, and post-Covid development concepts with practical, micro-economic clarity.

Though the author has served within the government, he remains strongly against corruption, standing out as a creditable, dedicated officer.

In reviewing leadership and international relations, Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike stands out as the best leader who handled foreign policy exceptionally well. She successfully navigated major historic challenges, including leading the national name change from Ceylon to Sri Lanka. Looking at internal policies, the book emphasizes that key pillars like free education must not remain a thing of the past, but must be actively preserved and strengthened for the future.

Meanwhile, people across three major religions have endured three decades of hardship while striving to live in harmony, leaving old ideologies like communism firmly in the past.

Regarding the country’s current trajectory, Sri Lanka continues to face significant challenges. The current government frequently blames past regimes; however, leadership should only assign blame if they are simultaneously offering concrete, future-oriented solutions. On foreign policy, Sri Lanka must address its current gaps in strategic knowledge. Furthermore, because approximately 90% of readers in the country read in Sinhala and only about 10% read in English, I strongly suggest translating this book into Sinhala, distributing it to provincial governors, and making it widely accessible to the public.

At the grass-roots level, Sri Lanka consists of many villages, and in every village, the local temple serves as the vital center for education, moral values, and good manners. To achieve lasting progress, both rural and urban development must be carried out hand in hand, addressing food security and infrastructure with equal priority. The author puts forward essential propositions that should be thoroughly read, shared, and integrated into national policy.

So far, I have only gone through the topic, and next, I will analyze the full content in detail. Ultimately, I think the topic is used to attract readers like me and I’m wishing best luck for the author.