A citizen's view: On Presidential election - 2005
 

by Ranjith P. Dissanayake

Much talked-about Presidential Poll is over, many issues need be looked into. It is the duty of the Victor of accept his win in a humble and unassuming manner. The supporters of the winner have all the right to celebrate it, but... they must take care not to overdo or jump the boundary.

In any competition there has to be a victor as well as a loser. The loser should not lose heart, as elections come and go. What they should, do, is to sit down and analyse the causes for their defeat and resolve to rectify any faults for their future advantage.

It is most commendable to note that the 'polls' have been conducted in a cordial and fair atmosphere - with no serious incidents during the pre-election run-up and also post-elections thus far. We trust this same atmosphere prevails to the calm and free elections have proved that the electorate is now much more mature and educated. A bouquet to the Elections Commissioner and his gallant staff, the police and all who contributed towards a peaceful election.

If we are to analyse the UNP's set back, it is not because the LTTE debarred the Northern Tamils from exercising their Franchise, as the UNP itself has already conceded (pls. refer Tissa Attanayake's statement at a press conference on election) but due to several factors.

The floating vote or the middle-class and the intelligentsia were aghast at the very low-ebbs of ugly cartoons and TV advertising the UNP resorted to during the campaign. Further several UNP spokesmen and women were the biggest culprits. It is now paramount that the UNP central committee and general membership variously consider a radical change in its leadership and adopt a new approach altogether.

As for the victor, President Mahinda Rajapakse, we convey our hearty congratulations and best wishes. He must now get down to his work. He must select the best and most efficient team as he has given the electorate a heap of promises and ray of hopes. His first duty should be to fulfil the promise given to the farmers and it should not be a temporary cover-up.

At the same time he must - as a priority concern - minister the support and the fullest backing of the world leaders to compel LTTE to eschew violence and come to the negotiation table unconditionally. Discussions must be at the highest-level and within an agreed time frame, not exceeding three to six months, with a team of international observers monitoring the talks.

All cards on both sides must be laid on the table and negotiations conducted in a friendly atmosphere on a 'give and take' basis. At the same time, The President will have to go to the world, especially Asian and South East Asian Leaders and call for their cooperation and unstinted backing to put his development plans in to action.