Symptoms of politicos seeking self-glory

Colombo District Parliamentarian Champika Ranawaka spoke in Parliament about a former strongman among those who are afflicted by hubris syndrome -- a personality disorder that affects those who have substantial power over a length of time.

The condition is identified by its 14 main symptoms which include using power for self- glorification, an almost obsessive focus on personal image, excessive self- confidence accompanied by contempt for advice or criticism of others, speaking as a messiah, reckless and impulsive actions and loss of contact with reality. The condition has been identified by Lord Owen, a former medical doctor and psychiatrist Jonathan Davidson of the Duke University Medical Centre. For examples of hubristic traits and hubris syndrome, they had investigated the psychological profiles of British Prime Ministers and United States Presidents in power in the past 100 years.

Mr. Ranawaka suggested that Sri Lankans get a copy of the book containing details of hubris syndrome and read it so they could become aware of this condition.