In a land of fiction

“That is no excuse,” returned Mr. Brownlow. “You were present on the occasion of the destruction of these trinkets, and, indeed, are the more guilty of the two, in the eye of the law; for the law supposes that your wife acts under your direction.”

“If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, “the law is an ass — an idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience — by experience.”

– Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens

Where real stature is lacking, common decency or integrity doubtful, a false show and intimidation are often resorted to

Tuesday, 7 June 2016

If there was one war cry that united the unlike and hastily-arranged Yahapalanaya alliance, it was the charge against a regime which had come to epitomise family rule, abuse of State power and corruption in every form. The oppression united the varied Opposition groups; whatever their political differences, things could not be allowed to go on that way.

On 8 January 2015, the majority agreed. For an electorate long accustomed to voting on immediate economic factors, this was a welcome departure, a mandate based on good governance, ideals prevailing over self. In taking this path, the voter took a blind corner, but hopefully, with expectations for a better society.

Not all voters were convinced. As the voting showed, the issue was decided narrowly, a swing of two to three hundred thousand votes could have changed the verdict. Some analysts argue that had not the Muslims voted as a block, the result could have been different. It could also be argued that those who voted with the Rajapaksa camp were swayed by the sweeping propaganda unleashed by a suppliant Government media and even a compliant private media, the latter weakened by sporadic but brutal acts of intimidation as well as open bribery and inducements.

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