A historic victory

The Sri Lankans have given a clear mandate to the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, in Tuesday's elections. The successful conduct of the election can itself bring considerable relief to the nation.

Though she got just over 51 percent of the vote, compared to her historic triumph in 1994 with a 62 percent mandate, this election must be seen in the context of the military reverses her Government suffered last month and the abortive and dastardly attempt on her life last week.

With all the limitations of security and a clear message from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that she must be defeated, it was creditable for Ms. Kumaratunga to have emerged victorious in this electoral battle.

Ms. Kumaratunga must now demonstrate her commitment to constitutional reforms and the devolution proposals. The devolution proposals, first unveiled in August 1995, offered a new paradigm of sharing power with the minorities. Their enunciation of equality, recognition of minorities, and the framework for sharing of power with the regions have now to be translated into action.

More important, she must seek to forge a bipartisan consensus with the UNP to push through the much desired constitutional reforms. Just as it is time for the nation to get over the bitterness of a hotly-contested election, it is time for the President to keep her word to build a Sri Lanka of tranquility and tremendous opportunity.

-- The Hindu, New Delhi