Sri Lanka, Nov. 2 -- In politics, democracy is touted as the best form of governance. Regular elections give people the opportunity to choose their rulers and remove them when they fail to meet public expectations.
Be that as it may, democracy is riddled with weaknesses. Political parties often champion democratic rights when they are relegated to the opposition, only to become less enthusiastic about those principles once they assume office. The temptation to consolidate power at the expense of democratic values is a recurring feature of politics. Sri Lanka is no exception.
The ancient Greek philosopher, Plato warned that excessive freedom, coupled with a lack of discipline, could lead to disorder and ultimately create conditions in whi...