The President is popular : Survey

More than half of the respondents to LMD-TNS Lanka’s countrywide poll say that they would vote for President Mahinda Rajapaksa if elections were held now

The President’s third year in office has seen his popularity rise, with a clear majority satisfied with his performance as Commander-in-Chief, according to business magazine LMD. And almost 80 percent of those who were polled “feel that he is right to seek a military solution to the ethnic conflict,” it observes.

“They believe that terrorism must be eliminated and that the most effective way to end it is by means of military action,” LMD reports, in its latest issue.

The magazine also says: “Dismissing peace talks as being unnecessary, they [poll participants] maintain that sitting down at the negotiating table will not solve the issues that currently confront us.”

On the contrary, according to the pioneering journal, nearly a third are dissatisfied with the progress he has made, the main reason for which is what they see as an economic meltdown in this country. LMD adds: “They also point out that corruption has increased, inflation is on the rise, and the law and order situation leaves much to be desired, as evidenced by the incidence of kidnappings and assassinations.”

“This segments isn’t impressed by the President’s war strategy either – they point out that it not only destroys innocent lives but also has a drastic effect on our economy,” the magazine states.

The forthcoming (November) edition of LMD will be available at bookstores and supermarkets across the island on 6 November, says publishing house Media Services, LMD’s publisher.