Grand slam

That the outcome of the polls to the Cental and North Western Provincial Councils was a foregone conclusion was never in doubt if the public mood in the aftermath of the string of military victories was an indication.What is mind boggling though is the extent of the carnage left behind by the UPFA juggernaut virtually wiping away the opposition.

Yesterday's avalanche which decimated the UNP and buried the JVP no doubt is a telling reflection on the single most issue currently dominating the national psyche - the imminent end of the war and a real prospect for peace .

It certainly mirrored the public mood at a critical time when the country is at a decisive crossroads. There's no gainsaying that it was thumbs up for President Mahinda Rajapaksa who pursued this mission with single minded determination not bowing to internal and external pressures.This is despite the multifaceted problems and hardships endured by the people especially in the context of economic difficulties fuelled by the rise in the cost of living.

The voters have certainly placed country before self.It would be clear even to a political novice that the overwhelming verdict was for the President.The Provincial Council election was just a vehicle for the voters to show their appreciation towards the President's commitment to rid the country of the scourge of terrorism.

It was also an endorsement of the sacrifices of our forces who never baulked from their mission.It is no exaggeration to say that yesterday's verdict of the people of the North Western and Central Province was a referendum on the Government's handling of the war and a tribute paid to the valiant men on the battlefield.

The electorate had unequivocally given the stamp of approval to the course followed by the President to unite the country and usher in peace to a nation that had been haemorrhaging for over three decades by a wasteful separatist war .

The results are also an ample demonstration of the mood of the public who have opted to bear with the Government vis a vis the COL and other hardships to see through this final phase of war with victory only a matter of time.

The manner in which the UPFA juggernaut rolled over the opposition was proof that the voters for once had dumped party politics for the country.The electorate voted across the board in a fervour of patriotism.

This overwhelming victory has certainly dealt a crushing blow to the UNP.The grand old party had clearly failed to identify the pulse of the people and is veering away from its tradition roots.The voters are still not clear on the UNP' leader's stand on the national problem having practised a policy of appeasement in a different avatar and now doing a complete U turn to swim with current tide.

This ambiguity no doubt cost the party dearly at the hustings.It is difficult to see how the party can turn the tide in it's favour with the nation as whole one with the President and Commander- in -chief, celebrating the victories of the soldiers in frenzied euphoria.

The victory certainly will provide a tremendous boost to the morale of the soldiers now in the last lap of their mission to annihilate the last vestiges of terrorism.It will no doubt redouble their efforts to accomplish their mission knowing they have the backing of their countrymen to the hilt.

In the afterglow of victory the Government should also not lose sight of the Provincial Adminstration which has come in for much criticism of late.True, the voter used this election to endorse the President's stand vis a vis terrorism. However there is still a growing consensus that Provincial Councils are a waste of resources with no tangible benefit accruing to the people.

The Government should look at ways to revamp these institutions so that they will deliver the goods to the people.For, once the war is over and return of peace the people's attention is once again bound to focus on domestic issues.

The Government should also not lose sight of the underlying concept of Provincial Councils- maximum devolution to the periphery.

It is indeed a tremendous achievement by the Government to have bagged the Eastern Provincial Council not long ago and now to secure four 'Southern " Councils in a row.

It is an endorsement by both the minorities and the majority community of the Government's policies and its direction.

This would provide the ideal catalyst for national unity and integration.