You won the war,...

he was confident in his media briefings, his speeches were fluent and he seemed more statesman-like. He might want to cash in on this, just like he did after crushing the LTTE in 2009.

Rajapaksa has already sought the opinion of the Supreme Court as to when an election could be called. Earlier, the Supreme Court had determined that his second term began in November 2010. That would mean a presidential election could be called only in November 2014, when Rajapaksa completes four years of his second term. But politics is the art of the possible and Rajapaksa is not deterred by constitutional conundrums. He has a way around them.

Rajapaksa inherited the presidential system but utilised it to the hilt. It is a reflection of this 'system' that the people felt relieved when all of our Presidents left office. In fact, towards the end of their respective terms of office, it is fair to say that the public were yearning for their departure. Rajapaksa wouldn't want that to be his fate.

It is said that most people holding high political office gain weight and lose touch. A fitness fanatic, Rajapaksa does not seem to have gained much weight while in office. However, has he lost touch? The South of the country will say 'no' but the North and perhaps the East will say 'yes', loud and clear. This is what Rajapaksa needs to rectify.

Rajapaksa does not need the Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa port, the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, the Mahinda Rajapaksa international crick- et stadium or the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa theatre to ensure his legacy: his place in history is assured as the leader who rid the country of terrorism.

What Rajapaksa has to do now is to take that giant leap and become the man who also won the battle for peace and ensured long term stability in an honest and wellgoverned Sri Lanka.

He is so trusted by the majority community that if he sells a reasonable political compromise on the ethnic issue to the elec- torate, they will buy.

To waste such an opportunity would be a tragedy. Looking towards running for a third term, that is what President Mahinda Rajapaksa should aspire for because that is what this nation now needs.