WATCH THE HAPPENINGS...
Travelling along the Dumbara Valley, the heartland of the UNP in the Central Province, with a strong Sinhala presence past Wattegama via Mattekelle to Hanguranketa (Main attraction being S.B. Dissanayake house covered with a virtual Great Wall away from public eye) Rikiligaskada (Where all roads meet and emerges as a commercial capital) blue and green supporters were not heard/seen. Sinhalese voters were divided around an 40-year artificial age barrier.
Over 40 years feel they need a tough disciplinarian to emerge at the next election and are concerned of the welfare of their children and the under 40s were emphatic of the great war victory deeming the Moors are a chicken feed for a correct leadership.
None mentioned the name of GR, support appears overwhelming for him, as they sought to pick the political leanings of the man [me] in a kiwi black cap. On the same tour in 2009 and 2015 before the general elections, UNP and MR supporters appeared visible among the village gentry but heard only of a coming man that can keep Muslims at bay. In Nuwara Eliya where Muslims purchased the best rooms are shown a closed door in hotels. None know who carries bombs in bags freighting other residents-especially the few remaining foreigners waiting to board flights.
This may not translate to votes for GR among the canny Muslim people expect in the Eastern Province where Islamists are most scared of recent events and will prefer to go with the winner at the time of elections, as a security precaution.
Can never assure the way Muslims will exercise their vote; but lists and tills sent to Muslim business houses will bring plenty of undeclared funds for GR. They will feel obliged to fill his exchequer mostly out of fear to cover their previous hostility.
If troublesome Central Province show such tendencies, rest of the Provinces will fall easy for GR with the exception of the Kandy electorate (As Westernized as Colombo West); Rest will be a walk over for GR, provided his followers behave and talk sensibly. GR can only destroy himself by words, acts or at play as kid brother to his brother MR. Assert yourself GR and be your own man; as MR or RW has lost ground.