Sri Lanka, Aug. 3 -- Every dog has its day, is the old adage. Every mediocrity has its day as well. In these times, the people of this country can see in stark relief the past parade of mediocrity that marked the days of post-independence politics, and post-independence civil administration.

However, at the time these mediocrities ruled the roost, unfortunately members of the public and academics were compelled to pay obeisance to such rank misfits, and sundry grifters.

Some of the mediocrities that come to mind are the President that habitually came six to seven hours late for public meetings, the Minister who virtually ran the economy once upon a time, and was known for running the family political firm, and the Sports Minister who sa...