My apologies, it was a momentous eve and I’ve been out all day. Oh the strange things I’ve heard. This election has seen a wave of SMS and email messaging (as well as the usual fermented grapevine). I’ve heard rumors of vote rigging, coups, jokes about movers for kings and plaintive pleas for gratitude.
Today I heard that Mahinda was on TV telling a story. He said that he was holding a baby and the baby looked up at him. It cried ‘Jaya Weva!’ and the parents said it hadn’t even said Amma or Thatha yet. However, I also heard that Sangeetha (his purported moll) was pregnant and he’d slapped the wife around when she brought it up. I think the first thing is true, but the first is deffo a rumor.
I also heard that some SF supporters were elected, a monk with 58 grenades and an aide for trafficking in drugs, apparently to a policeman. I think these reports are true. There are also widespread SMSes going on about ballot boxes being found, ID printing machines etc.
God know, Mahinda got less than 50k over the required 50% last time and this election will be close. Rigging and fraud could make the difference. That said, rigging an election here is actually rather hard, the system actually does function.
That, however, has no part in the spam across the airwaves and spread in whispers and shouts. It’s election eve. We live in a world of rumor, nonsense and disconcerting truth. Till tomorrow.
Here’s to hope
Use of Internet and Mobiles to spread rumours of vote rigging and violence…. just like the CIA did in Iran to destabilise the Iranian Gov…. this is just the beginning… much more to follow. Next will be street protest and riots stating that Fonseka’s victory was robbed… and then the US and its Western Molls (Calling itself the INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY) will condemn, call for re-polls and nullifying of the Election results…. this is just the Beginning bro… just the beginning!
@Tuan, Very well Said! Just the beginning! More to come…
Voting Mahinda and feeling self-respect about it.
The Sri Lankan election machinery is well tuned (not like in US). On the Election Day, it will be free and fair. Whatever said and done by the so called International Community will be immaterial.
Congrats…! You just voted for Sri Lanka to be robbed blind for the next 6 years and more!