ABSTRACT
Recent history of peace and conflict in Sri Lanka presents one clear lesson: No matter how the historical backgrounds seem fit for a far better political, social, and economic condition for its offspring, such a positive climate may take a negative turn that brings into play a more challenging environment with increased discord and unrest. In fact, the pre-colonial era of the country seemed opportune enough to cater for oncoming massive economic and social prosperity. Sri Lanka in this period had had an apt environment to execute democracy and development, since it operationalised the Universal Adult Franchise in 1930s, bore a very high level of Human Development Index, and brought healthy changes to its constituency through the electoral process.
