Before the Elections- 1
By Izeth Hussain -December 26, 2014, 5:42 pm
I started writing political articles soon after I left Government Service in 1989. I am struck by the similarities and contrasts in our politics during the periods 1977 to 1989 and 2009 to 2014, and it occurs to me that it might be useful to draw the parallels in an article. 1977 witnessed the entry of the market oriented economy in contrast to the State-centric one which had ruined the Sri Lankan economy from 1956 to 1977. The success of that market economy, with all its drawbacks, was probably the major reason why the UNP managed to cling on to power for seventeen years, though dubious means were employed. The present Government has shown in the perception of many Sri Lankans an impressive dynamism in its economic performance. They believe that that could turn out to be an important reason for President Rajapaksa winning the forthcoming elections.