Sri Lanka’s New Regime Has To Modernise Its Style
By C P Thiagarajah -
Dr. C P Thiagarajah
The man in the limelight today is Maitripala Sirisena (MS) a son of a World War II army veteran and a settler in Polonaruwa in a five acre plot given under the colonisation scheme inaugurated by the first prime minister of Ceylon Mr D S Senanayake. He is a giant killer, a modern David who slayed the giant Goliath Rajapaksa. His role as the new President will be watched by the world. Already politicians, diplomats, kings and queens shower their well wishes. Also flowing in are many suggestions and advices about good governance and democracy from varied sources. I am sure that king maker Chandrika Bandaranaike (CB) will be screening all these during her back seat driving of the present government. A change from the past is what is needed.
The Economist on 17 January published a piece on Sri-Lankan Election by Ask Siri. It concluded “On several fronts, Sri Lanka’s new rulers have much to change”, after discussing pros and cons of various options open to it. The Economist looked at the reasons for the dictator’s fall from his throne, his attempt to stage a coup da la on the day of the final election count and why the winner of the ‘crown’ hurriedly took the oath as President to avert further political misadventures by the vanquished Mahinda Rajapaksa. The threat of fight back by MR is now being hatched by his cronies.Read More
