What vanity needs for its satisfaction is glory of some kind. Love of power is by far the strongest motive in the lives of politicians. Power, like vanity is insatiable. Nothing short of omnipotence could satisfy it completely. Power over human beings is shown in making them do what they would rather not do, the man who is actuated by love of power is more apt to inflict pain than to permit pleasure.
Power springs up between men when they act together and vanishes the moment they disperse.
Because of this peculiarity, it can only be actualized but never fully materialized. Power is to an astonishing degree independent of material factors, either of numbers or means. On top of this, the presidential powers in Sri Lanka, are fully ensconced by the constitution. As one President claimed, he literally could do anything, except make a man into a woman. In a conflict between law and power, it is seldom the law which will emerge as victor.