TNA leader R Sampanthan could not have put it better – that Sri Lanka should not miss the current opportunity to resolve the ethnic issue. Media reports have also quoted him as saying that his four-party Alliance would be willing to work with the Government to make progress in areas which would benefit the Tamil-speaking people and the country as a whole.

It is unclear – and would remain so, for tactical reasons for some more time – if the TNA is now ready for allowing the devolution process to evolve with the time, rather than wanting to have it all at one go, as the pre-war TULF and the LTTE later, had insisted. It would be tough however for the TNA in particular and the rest of the Tamil polity otherwise to start almost at the bottom, and expect things to take their shape in due course.

This is a season of hopes raised in the hearts of people by lofty promises served out to them by the new ministers and deputy ministers on assuming their duties. If these promises are duly fulfilled this country will undoubtedly reach its goal of  becoming Asia’s wonder soon. Ministry secretaries also seem to approach their duties with a renewed enthusiasm. The comments that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has made on the state of the Sri Lanka Police Service at the opening of the Sri Lanka Police Academy at Thimbirigaskattuwa, Negombo,  enkindles people’s hopes for an improved police service which is vital to their well-being.

"We have to make Sri Lanka known to be the nation that beat terrorism and now, the economic tiger of Asia. Currently many are talking positive of Sri Lanka but this fan fare will last only for two year the most. Thereafter, another country will become a buzz nation in the world stage. We must make the best of it now".

Last week at the inaugural session of the first parliament after defeating the LTTE took place and it was great to see so many young faces in the system. Having served the country in the pivotal economic policy making body-NCED for two successive Presidents in the country and also chairing the premium export arm of Sri Lanka the EDB, I had the privilege of frequently visiting parliament for meetings but what I experienced last week was different. The enthusiasm, commaradie and youthful laughter of the young members of parliament sure gave me hope that Sri Lanka was poised for a 8-10% GDP growth in the years to come. All that was needed was for us to support the developmental agenda.

After the successful Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, United People's Freedom Alliance Government is seriously considering to do away with the unicameral parliamentary system and to introduce a second chamber, to be henceforth called the Senate.

It is reliably learnt that the ruling UPFA is seriously considering to amend the Constitution and the present Electoral System minus the preferential voting that was introduced through the 1978 Constitution by President J. R. Jayawardena.

While introducing the amendments to the present Constitution, it is reliably learnt that the government is considering the idea of introducing the Upper Chamber of Parliament which is popularly known as the ‘Senate’.