It’s not the attire that makes a true leader

President Gotabaya Rajapksa’s simplicity and choice of attire at the opening of Parliament, which was followed by a policy statement laid to rest many people’s mistaken belief that a person should be judged by his attire and not by the stuff he is made of, like his strong character, abilities, vision, ideas, leadership etc.

As we have seen in the past, many people were worried about what a politician wore rather than his/her capabilities. People cast sarcastic comments when politicians opted for western attire and some politicians changed their attire to please the people and come to power.

All such outdated and unwanted pride should be buried forever. This is what the President did. Let’s choose our political leaders not by what they wear but by what they are made of – their education, abilities, vision and their charismatic abilities. They should be leaders who can make this country a better place.

Throughout the Presidential campaign, President Rajapaksa proved that what we need is people who can work and not people who can only talk.

B. Joseph Wattala