One wily old man possibly likes these polls results

Sri Lankans have a geographical location which invites foreign invasion or occupation by outside forces. Centuries ago, there were a large number of invasions into this land. But today’s little Sri Lankans are basically given lessons in history at school in a way that they remember mostly the occupations of this island by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English. They were forced occupations. 
Now our teachings are focused on geopolitics. We often talk about the interests of India and China in Sri Lanka. Now the scenario has moved away from forced occupation to winning over a country through cooperation. Present Sri Lanka ‘believes’ it is playing the cooperating game very well. 
This is a good time  to study some psychology. This will be helpful in winning over the support of other countries. Just after the results of the recent Local Government Polls were announced, the incumbent government reps were quoted in the media stating that they wouldn’t be forming coalitions with other political parties take control of LG bodies. 
But then,  how would the government carry out development work in areas which the opposition has won control of local bodies? For the record, the National People’s Power (NPP) garnered 4,503,930 (43.26%) votes island wide and won power in 265 bodies. A critic might point out that as much as 56.73% of the people of this country don’t like the NPP government. That’s called perspective; a study area which academics and non-academics in Sri Lanka are not too enthusiastic about understanding. 
The NPP must be congratulated in winning the majority of  LG bodies. If the short period during which the NPP has governed this country is anything to go by, the ‘Malimawa’ party (NPP) led regime has been ruthless and forced people to adopt their way of thinking. There exists this subtle way of forcing people to accept or give approval to how this NPP is attempting to govern this country. 
Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaks in an authoritative way as opposed to the analytical and witty manner in which former caretaker President Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke and laid out his cards on the political table. We remember Wickremesinghe, just after being sworn in as caretaker president, telling the media that the ‘aragalaya’ should be offered all the help, when his real intention was to see it being crushed. Wickremesinghe united forces which were puling this country in all directions during the caretaker government. The Petrol, kerosene oil and gas queues that vanished overnight showed that he knew exactly where to ‘tap’ in terms of pulling at the heartstrings of the people. And as much as Wickremesinghe won the presidency, he was ready to give it away after being defeated. 
After the monarchy system was abolished here in the island nation, heads of Sri Lankans political parties have learnt to both assume and concede power. This column is penned with a dash of negativity because the majority of people have not backed the NPP representatives at the recent LG Polls. This is also cause for concern for the government. 
The NPP regime might have to play a different ball game if it wishes to get work done through the Local Governments. The other political parties which have done prominently well at the recent LG Polls are SJB (winning 14 bodies), ITAK (Winning 35 bodies) and SLMC (Winning 6 bodies). 
Being a Buddhist majority country, Sri Lankans love Gautama Buddha and the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama once related a story (It’s on You Tube) about the time  he tried to force a parrot at his palace to eat some nuts; the bird refused to cooperate. Then the Dalai Lama used a stick to command the bird to eat, but with that ‘stick’ in hand all chances which existed for cooperation were lost. 
This NPP regime must learn that Local Governments are a different ball game. The NPP must rethink its strategy of ‘going it alone’. The weight of the word ‘independent’ is at times too much to bear. The word ‘interdependent’ is much lighter to carry around in the political scene.