Mao Zedong and Sri Lanka: Lessons From a Revolutionary Leader for Tomorrow
Fifty years after his death, the Chairman's vision of national independence, unity, equality and mobilisation of ordinary people continues to inspire political movements across the developing world
Fifty years ago, on 9 September 1976, the People's Republic of China lost one of the most influential revolutionary leaders of the twentieth century: Chairman Mao Zedong.
For generations of people across Asia, Africa and the developing world, Mao became a symbol of national liberation, independence, social equality and the determination of an oppressed and impoverished people to build their own future.
His political journey transformed China.
When the People's Republic of China was established in 1949, the country emerged from decades of war, foreign intervention, poverty and political fragmentation. Mao and the revolutionary movement he led succeeded in bringing vast sections of the Chinese population together behind a common national project.
The message was powerful: a nation's future must ultimately be built by its own people.
That principle remains relevant to Sri Lanka today.
Mao and the transformation of China
Mao Zedong's historical importance cannot be separated from the enormous political mobilisation that accompanied the establishment of the People's Republic.
China was a vast country with a predominantly rural population. Millions of ordinary workers and farmers became participants in a national transformation.
Mao understood the political importance of the ordinary citizen.
Workers, peasants, young people and rural communities were not simply subjects of government policy. They were presented as participants in the construction of the nation.
This emphasis on the dignity and political importance of ordinary people became one of the defining characteristics of Mao's political philosophy.
For developing countries, this remains an important lesson.
A country cannot be developed exclusively by political elites, wealthy individuals or foreign investors.
A nation develops when its ordinary citizens become stakeholders in its future.
China and Sri Lanka: an historic friendship
The relationship between Sri Lanka and the People's Republic of China has an unusually long history.
Ceylon recognised the People's Republic of China in January 1950, making it the first South Asian country to establish such recognition. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were formally established in February 1957.
One of the most remarkable milestones in the relationship was the Rubber-Rice Pact of 1952.
At a time when China faced considerable international isolation, Ceylon entered into an agreement to exchange rubber for Chinese rice.
The agreement was more than a commercial transaction.
It demonstrated that two Asian countries could establish mutually beneficial relations based on national interests, equality and practical cooperation, regardless of their different political systems.
The relationship developed further in the following decades and became one of the enduring friendships between Sri Lanka and China.
Sri Lanka and China's place at the United Nations
Sri Lanka also played an important diplomatic role in supporting China's representation at the United Nations.
In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, recognising the People's Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China at the United Nations.
Ceylon voted in favour of the resolution.
This was an important moment in international diplomacy and reflected Sri Lanka's longstanding recognition of the People's Republic of China.
It also demonstrated an important characteristic of Sri Lankan foreign policy: the ability of a relatively small country to maintain an independent position on major international questions.
Mao's message of national independence
Perhaps one of the strongest aspects of Mao's political legacy was his emphasis on national independence.
China had endured a long period of foreign intervention and national humiliation. The revolutionary movement placed sovereignty and national independence at the centre of its political mission.
For Sri Lanka, this principle remains highly relevant.
Sri Lanka is a small island nation situated at one of the most strategically important locations in the Indian Ocean.
Its future depends upon maintaining its sovereignty while developing strong relationships with all major international partners.
The lesson from China's experience is that international cooperation should strengthen national development rather than replace national ambition.
Sri Lanka can work with China, India, Japan, Europe, the United States, the Middle East and other countries while maintaining its own national interests.
What can the NPP learn from Mao?
The question becomes particularly relevant under the present National People's Power government.
The NPP emerged from a political tradition that has consistently claimed to represent workers, farmers, young people and ordinary Sri Lankans.
Its political strength has been built around the idea that the country belongs to its citizens and that government must serve the people rather than privileged political families or narrow economic interests.
In this respect, Mao's experience provides an interesting historical example.
Mao demonstrated the extraordinary power of political organisation.
A political movement cannot transform a country simply by winning an election.
It needs a clear vision.
It needs committed cadres.
It needs discipline.
It needs organisational strength.
And most importantly, it needs the confidence and participation of ordinary people.
These are qualities that the NPP can study as it moves from being a political movement into a governing force responsible for the future of Sri Lanka.
From political movement to national project
The greatest challenge facing any revolutionary or reformist political movement comes after it achieves political power.
The people expect results.
They expect better education.
They expect employment opportunities.
They expect functioning hospitals.
They expect modern infrastructure.
They expect efficient public institutions.
They expect corruption to be reduced.
They expect their children to have a better future.
China's experience demonstrates the importance of thinking beyond one electoral cycle.
National development requires decades of planning.
The NPP therefore has an opportunity to develop a long-term national programme extending beyond individual governments and political personalities.
Sri Lanka needs a national development strategy that can survive political cycles.
Discipline, organisation and service
Mao placed enormous importance on political organisation and the mobilisation of cadres.
For the NPP, this offers another lesson.
A political cadre should not merely be someone who campaigns during an election.
A cadre should be someone who understands the country's problems, listens to communities, protects public resources and works continuously for the national interest.
Political service should be treated as a responsibility rather than a privilege.
This could become one of the most important lessons for the younger generation of NPP activists.
Mao and the dignity of ordinary people
Mao's political philosophy placed enormous emphasis on workers and peasants.
That historical emphasis has particular relevance in Sri Lanka, where millions of people depend upon agriculture, fisheries, small businesses, manufacturing, public-sector employment and informal economic activity.
National development cannot leave these communities behind.
The farmer must have dignity.
The worker must have dignity.
The small entrepreneur must have dignity.
The young person searching for employment must have dignity.
The elderly citizen who contributed to the country throughout a lifetime must have dignity.
A successful national development programme must ensure that economic growth reaches ordinary households.
Sacrifice and commitment
Mao's life was also characterised by decades of political struggle and personal sacrifice.
The Chinese revolution was not achieved overnight. It was the result of a prolonged political and military struggle involving enormous commitment from Mao and the revolutionary movement around him.
His son, Mao Anying, also served with Chinese forces during the Korean War and died in 1950 while serving at a Chinese command headquarters.
For Mao and the revolutionary generation, the concept of national service was therefore not simply political rhetoric.
It was deeply connected to personal commitment and sacrifice.
For contemporary political leaders, the broader lesson is clear: those who seek to lead a nation must be prepared to serve the nation.
A message for the NPP generation
Fifty years after Mao's death, Sri Lanka does not need to become China.
Sri Lanka has its own history, culture, democratic institutions and national identity.
But Sri Lankan political leaders can study the experiences of other nations and identify lessons that can strengthen their own country.
From Mao's political experience, the NPP can study the importance of:
national independence;
political organisation;
long-term national planning;
the mobilisation of ordinary citizens;
discipline and commitment;
social equality;
national unity; and
the belief that a poor country can transform itself through the determination of its own people.
These principles remain powerful.
The friendship between two nations
Sri Lanka and China have travelled different political and economic paths, but their friendship has survived generations.
From the Rubber-Rice Pact to modern infrastructure, education, investment and diplomatic cooperation, the relationship has developed into one of Sri Lanka's most important international partnerships.
Mao belongs to the history of the People's Republic of China, but the friendship he helped establish between China and other developing countries continues to influence international relations today.
Sri Lanka should remember that history with respect.
Looking towards tomorrow
The most important question for Sri Lanka is not what happened yesterday.
It is what kind of country will exist tomorrow.
Mao Zedong's greatest historical message to the developing world was that a nation does not have to accept permanent poverty, weakness or foreign domination as its destiny.
A determined population, organised around a national vision, can change the direction of its country.
That message is particularly relevant to Sri Lanka today.
The NPP has been given an opportunity to translate its longstanding political ideals into national development.
If its leaders and cadres can combine the commitment of a political movement with the professionalism of a modern government, Sri Lanka can build a stronger future.
The lesson from Mao's generation is ultimately a simple one:
Believe in the people. Organise the people. Educate the people. Empower the people. And build the nation together.
Fifty years after Mao Zedong's death, that message continues to resonate far beyond China's borders.
For Sri Lanka, and particularly for a new generation seeking to transform the country, it is a message worth remembering.
A nation becomes strong when its people believe that they themselves have the power and responsibility to build its future.