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"Former Sri Lankan diplomat Dayan Jayatilleka says Rajapakse -- who was overwhelmingly re-elected in January 2010 -- still has no shortage of credit in the bank with the majority Sinhalese community after overseeing victory in what many had thought was an "unwinnable war".Jayatilleka likened Rajapakse's image to that of Vladimir Putin, who restored Russian pride and prestige by ending the war in Chechnya -- even if there was also a heavy human cost."Mahinda has the same kind of appeal as Putin. He has done something that none of his predecessors could," said Jayatilleka, adding that he created a sense of patriotism among the majority.Ordinary Sri Lankans, questioned on the streets of Colombo, were quick to voice their support for Rajapakse even if they have less kind words to say about his government.""Tamil politician Dharmalingam Sithadthan said increasing international criticism actually helped Rajapakse to consolidate his nationalist credentials."He projects Western powers as the new enemy of the state and he is fighting them," Sithadthan told AFP. "This has proved a very successful strategy."http://www.malaysiandigest.com/world/479392-rajapakase-seen-as-hero-at-home-despite-foreign-critics.htmlsource: Malaysiandigest.com