ELECTION ANALYSIS WHILE RESULTS ARE BEING RELEASED

 MR’s party emerged within short period, rose to top spot

All those that bought crackers, can burst them justifiably, but it will not sound musical to the ears’ of any of the leaders,’ as the message is clear none will be elected through an election as President or Prime Minister. No one can go alone to polls, writing off two provinces from the slate. Those prejudices are going to harden before they soften. Rajapaksa, should not ignore the North in seeking votes, especially where UNP reveals a base from where votes are gathered from the north. He could do it provided he had the support of a clean administration that would increase his vote base in the South. He cannot have a squeaky clean administration with his crowd in Parliament.
It is a message to all the leaders that each on its own cannot find the pinnacle point in the local political scene. Statistics - vital or otherwise – will be dressed up by the goons of the leaders to look sleazy to justify their heroes existence – watch these column goons will be made to work hard to present haphazard images of future fortunes. JVP has much to explain dropping from third to fourth position after years in that slot.

"Rajapaksa, should not ignore the North in seeking votes, especially where UNP reveals a base from where votes are gathered from the North"

The biggest losers are the leaders’ who will pretend they do not understand the result and misinterpret and mislead the flock but message from the voters is loud and clear that the vote is split and none is out in the front with an undisputed lead. Flip side is to leave the baton at the party office and quit honourably before the call comes. If the call is not made or a temporary plaster is placed in the nature of a jointer, it is the country that will bleed. Combinations and permutations are hard to find as to bind, as the leadership is too aged and not flexible to agree to a sharing arrangement. Anyway after an election the situation is too hot to handle and period of cooling is necessary especially for the elderly leadership, more for health reasons.
The winner of the day is Mahinda Rajapakse whose party within a short space of time has emerged as the top dog in the south. He is the winner for the moment but is not a come back kid as his majorities are far short in the South than he received in his prime in 2005 or 2010 especially as he has no appearance in the north and a poor showing in the east and is losing heavily in the plantation district in the Centre. Indeed he has made it virtually impossible for his brother Gota to substitute as he has queered the pitch.

"Combinations and permutations are hard to find as to bind, as the leadership is too aged and not flexible to agree to a sharing arrangement"

Mahinda can play a winner as parliament cannot be dissolved for four and half years.19 th amendment can be a ready – made opportunity for MR as he can work on to win the PM ship through a parliamentary majority as he is unlikely to do so via the general election for the last time as PM for two years. He must pave the way for another but in his two years is more likely to loose his popularity as he has conditions attached that he cannot make good unless he has a new and clean team of new comers. Old timers will slink back. 
This is where the artificial provision that Chief Justice Sripavan was too feeble to respond to either for or against in the 19th Amendment case. MR will now try to win over the SLFP of Sirisena, minority parties of Moor origins, and CWC, to make him PM through a vote in Parliament. Sirisena is now in third place, way behind SLPP so he would have to soften his stance against MR. This would help in the cases filed against the Rajapaksas’ as the results will be now known to the law enforcement officers. Imagine what the draftsman of the 19 thAmendment and the former Chief Justice feel in finding a way to pave for a defeated candidate of a general election to creep into the PM’s seat through the back door. Serves them right.
This is a bizarre election that brought a weird result yet carries a silver lining if the result is placed in the proper perspective. Here is another chance for a change if the opportunity is grabbed. So eccentrically presented by the whimsical Elections Commissioner that contributed substantially in making the result undecipherable. Given an opportunity of being heard, indisciplineb public servants spoke loosely on a fast release while the polling was on, that made the results difficult to release belatedly.

"MR will now try to win over the SLFP of Sirisena, minority parties of Moor origins, and CWC, to make him PM through a vote in Parliament"

Let’s place the result aside and translate it into the national framework. That is where the silver lining turns to gold. 
A clear ruling by the people consisting of voters new and old in the UNP may require a change in the UNP leadership - that will be challenged by MR who would find it easier to win against Ranil but may find it difficult against a new youthful leadership of the UNP. It might lead to a change in the SLFP, UNP and SLPP. Surely the president will have to maintain a stiff upper lip after trailing third in most electorates.
We are in for a new ball game, surely not for the betterment of the country.