Anoma

The Sri Lankan way

The first time Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed the seat of president in Sri Lanka, it was to limited fanfare. The year was 2005. He had just survived a fierce battle with his party for leadership, and the civil war with the rebel Tamil Tigers was still simmering. There wasn't much to celebrate.

This time around, the pomp and circumstance surrounding his second inauguration is staggering.