Features

Perhaps, there has never been a person who “courted” the media so much and stood up for their rights like Mohamed Nasheed, in the then opposition MDP. Clad in his party colour, yellow, none could fit in so well with the slogan shouting youngsters in the media, like he did.

USA is the largest economic power of the world and strongest military power in human history. Its moral, political, and diplomatic strength which was at its peak till 9/11 has drastically eroded after the fateful event. Collapse of Soviet Union in 1991 had provided a great opportunity to USA to rule the world as a sole super power for the next 100 years.

During the Presidential election season, the hopes of Lankan democracy rest not on Mahinda Rajapakse or on Sarath Fonseka, but on Dayananda Dissanayake, the Election Commissioner. On nominations day the Election Commissioner demonstrated his determination to ensure that the Presidential election is as free and as fair as it is possible in the current context. He conducted the nomination process with a dignified impartiality that is in sharp contrast to the servile conduct of most public officials today.

That the Rajapakse administration is concerned about its continuity is clear to the naked eye and the naked ear, in the visages and words of its key stakeholders. The election, which, with Ranil Wickremesinghe, would have been a one horse race, has become transformed into a close run battle with the entry of Sarath Fonseka.