Both comments are taken from The Observer. It is significant that a broader spectrum of society is being activated close on the heels of the initiative taken by the business community a fortnight ago. It is also significant that the latest attempt at mobilising all sectors of civil society is in no way an attempt to pooh-pooh or belittle the part the business community plays in attempting to bring about a rapport among all political forces to arrive at a negotiated settlement of the ethnic issue over and above narrow, partisan politics. The NAP action plan which will be made known on Armistice day is going to add clout to the initiative of the business community. Neither the government nor the political parties in the Opposition could afford to ignore majority opinion which favours an end to the bloody confrontation which is perceived to be the result of political bungling.
Political parties campaign for people's support on the basis of their policy statements.
Success at electoral politics depends on the proper reading of the mood of the people. The People's Alliance faced the might of those forces that had been entrenched in power for 17 long years and emerged victorious with the support of the people who had had enough of a regime that had betrayed the trust reposed in them. Recognising the leadership given to end the terror and corruption that had escalated, the PA victory was heralded as the defeat of those forces that enjoyed the benefits which accrued from political power and political patronage of the previous regime. The PA has stemmed the tide but appears to be incapacitated to accomplish the final flourish that can save the country from the peril of economic stagnation that the drain on the war portends. The timely intervention of religious leaders and civic groups that have joined forces to set up the structures to launch on a countrywide campaign is then a welcome initiative.