Kerry was right about the immediate impact on the world - look at the view from Sri Lanka

[karynnj]

I hadn't stopped to think that it was just 50 years since the Civil rights act passed. In the speech, Kerry speaks of speaking (before the election to people around the world who were skeptical of whether the US would ever could elect an African American and what it would mean.

Yesterday morning, I spoke to one of my college daughters, who had in spring semester last year done her study abroad in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is currently in an eighteen year old civil war between 2 ethnic groups. When she was there, people were intensely interested in the election. Although a very small island, they are divided by ethnic group and religion. The two main ethnic groups, both of which originated in India are the Tamils, who are Hindu and the Sinhalese who are Buddhist. In addition, they have people who are Christian (mostly Catholics because of Portuguese Jesuits and Tamil speaking Moslems, who are descented from 14th century Moorish traders. (I think I have this right)

She went to the web site of their English language newspaper that she often read there. They show how incredible the reaction was immediately. It is fascinating that not only was their praise for the US, but internal soul searching on their own ethnic/religious divides. They do not see that anyone other than a Buddhist Sinhalese person could rule in their country.

An except chosen by my daughter of letters:
"My wholehearted congratulations and well wishers from fellow citizens of Sri
Lanka. Your achievement gives an courage to the entire world. I wish that you
are very capable to solve the problems which has been arising so for in the
world. You have change the race and colour of the human in America. Good Luck
Good Luck

Posted By: Gamini H

Actually we love you.please make your concentration to develop third world
countries.congradulations.

Posted By: cbandara

Congratulations & Congratulations for the whole american people initialy
selecting a right candidate after 8 years. Mr.Obama deserves to be the president
of US. His entry as the US president will definetly change the US & the world to
a peacefull status. Well done Mr.Obama & god bless you.

Posted By: S.S.Sureshkumar

Now the challenge begun the world needs a change we r happy at least americans
choose some 1 from minority now justify it

Posted By: jehan

When is a Sri-Lankan going to feel the same way that an American felt listening
to Obama's victory speech ???

Posted By: HOPE

Will Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan (Singhalese) will learn a lesson from this
results? A BLACK skin personality can become a PRESIDENT OF AMERICA! Can either
a Tamil become a prime minister or president of Sri Lanka? It is only a day
draem in this RACIST country for ever!!!

Posted By: nandu

Congratulations. It is hoped that you will be able create that global village
that we long for- sans differentiations and divisions. Good Luck to you !!

Posted By: ys

Congratulations-America you showed the world it is not about color,religion,its
about love for your country and the determination to work hard for the people
and you delivered your verdict.If only we in Sri lanka could have chosen leaders
without religious and racial bias maybe we we would have never been in this
mess.I too think that Lakshman Kadirgamar would have been a statesman like Obama
but we are not blessed for such things.

Posted By: christine abeywickrema

This is good lession to singhele brothers and sisters to understand the
democratic in USA . Please let us as well make this (Sri lanka ) country peace
without racism . lets fight against the racism god bless this beatifull island

Posted By: Mohamed

Congratulations Dear Barak Hussain Obama! You have done it aginst all odds. You
have proved that if there is a will there is a way too.You have become the first
Afro-American President of USA and now it is up to you to be the first US
President to get the support of arch enemies of US ( Cuba , Venezula Libiya and
Iraq etc). Whatever happenes whole world is with you and you are the man of the
moment. Good Luck ! ! !

Posted By: Senaka Wijesinghe

Can ever at least a Sinhalese Catholic be the President of this country!!!
Amaricans have changed, when can we change???

Posted By: Ivan

Congratulations senator !! you have a gifted background to attract every people
by your charming words with confidence, hope you can see the world with a
different eye !! all the best to you !!!

Posted By: Riyazi

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in
one year or even one term, but America --I have never been more hopeful than I
am tonight that we will get there," - Barack Obama....anybody there for SL?,hope
this will be a good lesson for whole world

Posted By: sincere citizen"
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=31286

[JI7]

1. Kerry understood it and for anyone who wants to question his endorsement

of Obama they just need to read his words in support of Obama and see what is happening now.

[jillan]

2. I don't think anyone is questioning it anymore.

Kerry was right all along :)

As was everyone else that supported Obama from the beginning.

[ProSense]

3. Here's another fascinating story from

Cairo