A free Sri Lanka
There is a Persian saying that individuals receive the leadership they deserve. And having got such leadership they have definite duties and responsibilities to perform. According to it rulers have a duty to solve problems common to a nation without delay. If a leader hems and haws on vital issues the country and the nation will invariably suffer. As a leader President Chandrika Kumaratunga has taken a definite, fair and constitutional decision to dissolve Parliament and go for a General election. During the past two years the country was drawn in to an abyss of lawlessness, corruption and administrative inefficiency while the peace efforts too weakened with the threat of a separate State becoming a legal reality. As talks on political cohabitation failed due to the Prime Minister's intransigence President Chandrika Kumaratunga had no alternative but to dissolve Parliament and hold a general election as the first step to create a free Sri Lanka.

Endless elections
Despite the enormous and unbearable cost the country has to face by holding yet another election, President Chandrika Kumaratunga has dissolved Parliament and fixed April 02 as the date for the next general election. Sri Lanka is a kingdom of elections. But in spite of all forms of elections which we witnessed during short intervals of time there has been instability in the country. During a short period parliament has been dissolved twice by President Kumaratunga. Driven by the madness of excessive power we witnessed how many governments lost at successive elections . Such defeats and consequent instability have dampened investor confidence and given courage to terrorist forces. This time too despite opportunities to reach a political consensus on major national issues, greed for power and irreconcilable policies have foisted on the country an unwanted General election. We wish the next Government will be able rule without subservience to pressures from minority parties and terrorist organizations, having formed a national alliance. Only then we will be able to go a long and successful journey.

Was dissolution of Parliament a wise move?
Can the sudden dissolution of parliament by President Chandrika Kumaratunga be regarded as wise move? It has worsened the existing instability of the country while damaging the economic situation too since investors and the business community have been greatly perturbed by this. Can any one justify the dissolution when the Government has a majority in parliament and definite measures were also taken to resurrect the economy which recorded a negative growth at the beginning of the Government 's tenure. It has also raised many disturbing issues such as the future of the ceasefire agreement and peace talks. But now that it has been done we can only hope for a free and fair election devoid of violence and election malpractices.

A way forward for the forthcoming election
Although the general election due to be held on April 02 will be the third within a period of four years it is bound to be significantly different from the ones which preceded it. Apart from the instability which prevails in the country at present, the strong will to achieve power at this election is bound to be at its peak . In this extremely heightened situation of political pressure and tension it is the bounden duty of all party leaders and relevant authorities to ensure that the poll is conducted in a most free and fair manner and without violence and polls malpractices. Party leaders in particular have to bear a greater share of responsibility in this regard since they are the ones who exert maximum influence on the forces which usually unleash violence during elections.

Dissolution of Parliament
Parliament has been dissolved and a general election is to take place. During the past few months the Government became ineffective. On April 2003 the LTTE informed that until and interim administration is formed to the North-East it will not participate in the peace talks.

The President took over the three Ministries in order to save the country from disintegration and as Head of State, the President was left without any alternative but to dissolve parliament and hold a general election.

According to the secret opinion fall conducted by the UNP, it was revealed that it will lose if it has to face a general election at this juncture. Ministers who challenged the President to conduct a general election became mum thereafter. They even tried to postpone the election through the Mano-Malik committee and tried to strengthen themselves during the interim period.

When a Government becomes ineffective the people should be given the right to select a new Government in the democratic tradition. As such the dissolution of parliament by the President is the right decision.