On the recommendations of the ‘Donoughmore’ commission, British introduced democratic elections to Sri Lanka in 1931. Though the intension was to reduce conflicts, an analysis of election related conflicts since then questions Lankan capacity to understand simple meaning of democracy. Since the parliamentary system lowered from top questioned national stability, President JRJ introduced the Presidential system in 1978. Ensuring economic stability as in the Far East was quoted as the objective. Since then Presidential elections are held adding new experiences & memories. At the first (1982) incumbent JRJ & Hector Kobbekaduwa were the front runners. When some viewed that both have pointed noses, JRJ asked if one can rule a country only with a nose.

JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera (imprisoned for life in 1971 & released by JRJ after 1977) also contested in 1982 going around campaigning in a brand new ‘Mitsubishi Lancer’ car. Business tycoon Upali Wijewardena questioned JVP’s financial capacity to posses such vehicles. During early 1990s Wijeweera undercover as ‘Aththanayaka’ used a Lancer wagon which is now known as the ‘Aththanayaka’ model. Many Sri Lankans heard of the ‘Bhumiputhra’ concept when candidate late Dr. Harishchandra Wijayathunga spoke of stability in Malaysia. Referring to any election, Bernard Baruch said to ‘vote for the man who promises least as he shall be least disappointing’. Since many promised more than available, LKY of Singapore compared Sri Lankan elections to;

‘Auctions of Non Existing Assets’

Before electing a new President on September 21^st, Sri Lankans should dare not forget that;

1. Violence won’t lead to stability.
2. Minorities are mandatory for national growth.
3. Elected President is respected globally.
4. Without an efficient parliament, new President will be in the doldrums.
5. Ukraine elected a comedian & lives in tragedy.
6. A sudden scholar created by speech writers isn’t a fit.
7. Next 5 years is the beginning of the marathon (not a 100 meter spurt) to stabilize.
8. Loans/ grants shall be used wisely to generate employment.
9. Future is nothing but orderly & stable economics (Ref. USA based Bloomberg on Sri Lanka).
10. Systems should digitize without whimpering to reduce waste & expose ghost suppliers.
11. Those who fly from USA etc. to vote will fly back after voting.
12. Being President is a 24 x 365 job.
13. Elected President can’t be all time popular (taxes are must to maintain welfare & repay debt).
14. President is below the law & his election promises can’t over rule delivered court rulings.
15. Being President is a ‘Vocation’ & not a job for a ‘Saint’.
16. New President should be offered a good package (volunteers have ulterior motives).
17. Derailed Bangladesh will be used to wobble ‘Bay of Bengal’ in the Indo-Pacific agenda.
18. Sri Lanka is the only Belt & Road (BRI) partner with no national consensus on utilizing China’s 21^st century Silk Road (BRI).
19. Elected should wisely bridge Indian & regional markets with Chinese markets to benefit Sri Lanka.
20. Indian Ocean will be the economic battleground in the coming century & the new President should be a matured Fox who understand traps.

Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men! John F. Kennedy

(Photo Source: JRJC) (Views expressed are personal).