Sri Lanka, Oct. 6 -- The National People's Power (NPP) government is facing a serious dilemma in keeping some of its pledges to the people given during the last Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The reason could be argued both ways -- insincerity as well as circumstantial pressure, based on one's political affiliation.

One important acid test for the government is to adopt a new constitution replacing the current one, while another is replacing the current Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) with another anti-terrorism Act that could be acceptable to the international community.

A new constitution would not be complete but would be a complete farce if it dodges two important issues -- finding a lasting solution to the ethnic prob...