Mixed signal in Sri Lanka

It could be argued that the president's sudden move to call early elections after accusing Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe of making too many concessions in peace talks with the Tamil Tiger rebels has paid off in her favour; early results could be interpreted as an endorsement of Chandrika's condemnation of Wickramasinghe's handling of the peace process. But the voters also seemed to be in confusion as they have not given a clear-mandate to her either.

Though a sizable proportion of votes is yet to be counted and final results have been delayed because of reports of irregularities; yet from the trend of results, one reads a mixed electoral signal to the parties. The election has basically given no direction. The results are a picture of a much more divided Sri Lanka. While the majority Sinhalese community appears lukewarm about the peace process, Tamil National Alliance, a party backed by the rebels, in the north and east of Sri Lanka and an all-clergy party of Budhhist monks have gained a significant footing.

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We urge the two top leaders of Sri Lanka to rise to the occasion and give a clear direction to the nation. When it comes to negotiating with the minorities and deciding on their fate, the party in power should always appeal to the nationalist sentiments of the majority. Not just in its own interest, but also for the sake of national good, it must arouse sentiments in favour of peace and settlement. At the same time, we request Chandrika not to take voters' verdict as a conclusive support to her policies. The leaders must take steps so that state doesn't get weakened; society doesn't become more vulnerable to trouble.