Sri Lanka, Dec. 19 -- A general election will be held soon. That much is certain. Indeed, if not for the term-related clause in the 19th Amendment Parliament would be dissolved by now. This Parliament feels old. Older than a little over four years. Those of the UNP (United National Party) and the SLFP (Sri Lanka Freedom Party) in Parliament have in fact lost their mandate, the former twice over. As for the SLFP, it was trounced at that election and any claims to a legit mandate obtains only on account of having supported Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the last minute.
Although Parliament has not been dissolved, parties and politicians are clearly getting ready. Maithripala Sirisena, perhaps hopeful for post-presidential relevance and obviously awa...