Sri Lanka It's Happening

November 14, 2005

The whole country is on tenterhooks. Where ever you go people are talking of nothing but elections. If you switch on the TV it's all about elections. If you take the newspapers there are precious few news items on anything other than elections.

Why this sudden interest in politics? Majority of Sri Lankans have always been interested in this politics. Some take it seriously enough to even beat up or kill their political opponents. Often the victim and the agressor are merely party supporters and probably haven't even met the candidates.

The additional interest this time around is because this is the most crucial election in Sri Lanka's history. It's a difference between war and peace. Between economic growth and recession. The right to choose your own religion or to have religion forced down your throat. Censorship and media freedom. The list goes on and on.

There has been only one official survey on the outcome. The surveyors didn't actuall ask "who are you going to vote for". They asked "what is the most serious issue facing the country in your opition", and followed that up with "Which candidate can deliver on this issue?". On the two most important issues (peace and cost of living), the UNP's ranil is in the lead.

This survery was done two weeks ago. Since then, several companies are said to have conducted private surveys, and the results of these surveys have been leaked. None of them seem to indicate victory for the JVP candidate Mahinda.

Posted by raditha at November 14, 2005 8:09 PM