Writing in the Hamilton Spectator, Gwynne Dyer, questions who is responsible for Sri Lanka’s dire economic and political status. Comparing Sri Lanka’s post-independence history to that of its south asian neighbours, Dyer notes that “none compares with Sri Lanka for sustained, large-scale violence across five decades”.

Dyer notes that in addressing this question there are many contenders;

The case in opposition to a common Tamil candidate rests upon the assumption that incremental progress is possible under the Sinhala political framework. It is not. Tamils are better off with a candidate standing as a symbol of their defiance. It stands as a stark reminder to the international community that the Tamil issue cannot be swept over.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake spoke in Jaffna yesterday, as he addressed a rally ahead of elections later this month.

"We are winning, " he said. "We will win by lakhs in the South."