Sri Lanka, Aug. 19 -- Does a doctor's bedside manner count? Do the nuances of behavior matter in politics?

Sri Lankans would know the answer is in the affirmative. The Gotabaya regime signals positive intent. It's written into the President's general tone and behavior, and it's written into the DNA of the team the SLPP picked for the task of governance with a massive two-thirds pendulum swing.

This intent is suffused with nationalistic chutzpah. In other words, the key players of the newly elected Government are steeped in the local idiom. They approach the task of nation building with a certain degree of gravitas. This contrasts with the 'everything is a bit of a joke' approach of Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa and the Yahapala...