I drove past Temple Trees this morning at sunrise, a few minutes after the first SMS from a major news service proclaimed Mahinda Rajapaksa would step down as President.

I couldn’t believe it. I just hugged a close friend in the passenger seat and I think we both teared up – not knowing how else to fully realise the enormity of change upon us, without the violence we were expecting. Someday I will pen what I felt on that drive, in front of Temple Trees. Suffice to say that I don’t see Groundviews going away anytime soon. Our work, to remind the President elect Maithripala Sirisena that promises made must also be promises kept, will not end.

I’ve listened to will.i.am’s It’s A New Day several times today, risking disappointment to hope – more than I have since 2005 – that it is indeed a new day, for all Sri Lankans.