Once again the people of the Indian subcontinent have sprung a surprise with their commitment to democracy against all the odds.
This time, Sri Lankans threw out their strongman President Mahindra Rajapaksa, even though he had brought an end to the long-running civil war and restored stability and high economic growth to a troubled land. Sri Lankans feared that Rajapaksa's growing power was corrupting the country.
Democracy through the ballot box is the easy part. Making true democracy work will tax the competence and commitment of the new government of President Maithripala Sirisena as well as the good will of the potentially rich multi-ethnic country.