[By Charles Haviland]
President Mahinda Rajapaksa hopes to be re-elected to a third term in Sri Lanka’s election on Thursday. But what sort of a country has Sri Lanka become under Mr Rajapaksa and his brothers?
One day last month six astrologers were brought onto government television to discuss the prospects for the presidential election.
All six declared that not only would President Rajapaksa “secure a fabulous victory” but “nature” would “completely work against” anyone challenging him.
For nearly a decade Mahinda Rajapaksa has been the undisputed leader of Sri Lanka – perhaps I should really say “king” because that’s how many of his fans refer to him.
He is frequently compared to a conquering Sinhalese monarch of ancient times.
Not so long ago state television featured a lullaby on how the “king” saved the country from the Tamil Tiger rebels.
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Source: BBC
