TV news time when candidates for the forthcoming Provincial Council elections come out with their barbs against each other is an ideal time to understand their mentality. Evidently they address their own followers and do not expect anything but stupid approval and loud applause.

One sure way of recognizing a candidate’s mentality is by cataloguing the particular adjectives he uses. Weerawansa and Somawansa who were like 'Maamai Benai' not so long ago are now like 'Nendammai Layleei'.

Verb tenses can provide a hint as to how much a person dwells in the past as compared with his concern for the present and his plans and hopes for the future. When the past tense predominates it may indicate melancholy or depression. Ranil is a good example.

JHU candidates use metaphors, similes and analogies reflecting not only their experience but tell us how they think. Buddhism and loving kindness that should be the characteritic of a JHU candidate is not visible in their images and themes.

We notice how often someone like Reginald uses the big pronoun: "I", "me", "my", and "mine". Excessive use of the first person singular simply means that he is a bore. "When one's automobile is out of order," says a social psychologist, "one is likely to refer to it oftener. Similarly when a person's psychic equipment is grating and squeaking, it is understandable that his attention should be directed towards it most of the time".

Space in your esteemed journal doesn't permit me to go on and on with this topic but my hobby these days is listening to candidates who are promising the moon if they are elected. There is no other way to have a hearty laugh!'