State Power, State Patronage and Elections in Sri Lanka

The call for early presidential elections, the Rajapaksa regime's decisions vis-a-vis the post-war situation and the announcement of ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka's candidacy have opened up some avenues for political dissent in Sri Lanka. But given a weak bourgeoisie, uneven development and the lack of a progressive third force, the elections, which are bound to witness the use of state patronage, would not mean much for the minorities or for the economically marginalised sections of Sri Lankan society. It is in this context that issues such as the devolution of power, the representation of minorities and demilitarisation need to be raised by progressive sections in the run-up to the elections.