Leaders of former regime won’t change, though names changed

By Yohan Perera   

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was referring to the announcement of SLPP led alliance’s new name and its candidate for the presidential elections, yesterday said the leaders of former regime will not change its old ways even if they come in a new name and with a new colour. 

  Prime Minister who focused on the SLPP at a public gathering in Kurunegala to distribute compensation to peasants whose crops were damaged due to recent droughts, cited the famous Sinhalese saying ‘ Kiren Beddath Kobeiya, Thelen Baddath Kobeiya, Kobeiya mai Kobeiya. Kobeiya will not become a Rajaliya. ( Dove will not become a hawk no matter how it tries to change its ways).   

“We heard that SLPP is to come up with a new name and they were announcing its candidate at its convention. I wish them all the best. However, it will not change its old ways even if they change its name and come up with a new colour. I only got to say that Kiren Beddath Kobeiya, thelen Beddath Kobeiya. Kobeiya mai Kobeiya. Kobeiya will not become a Rajaliya,” the Prime Minister said.   

“One must see whether they are capable of doing what they failed to do during the ten years they ruled the country.  They were not able to turn the Hambantota Port into a profit making venture, they could not provide compensation to peasants whose crops were damaged due to natural disasters.

• We took over power when the treasury was about to get empty
• We developed the economy though it was a difficult task

 They introduced a white van culture during their time, Will they accept that it was wrong and stop it if they come to power? They would not,” he said.   

“We took over power when the treasury was about to get empty. Difficulties were faced by the people during the first year of our government. 

We developed the economy though it was a difficult task. We did not run away from challenges and hold elections. We have managed to develop exports, we restored the GSP plus which we lost during the last regime. We managed to turn Hambantota Port into a profit making venture. We did all these in five years. The previous regime could not achieve what we have achieved even though they reigned for ten years. Therefore, people should decide whether they are going to hand over the nation to those who have failed,” he added.   

Referring to the climate changes the Prime Minister said the monsoon rains will become a thing in the past. “The Indian Department of Meteorology had informed that there will be heavy short term showers and will also experience droughts. Local peasants will have to fit into these changes and go for modern methods. They will also have to cultivate paddy seeds which needs lesser amount of water. They will have to think about cultivating new crops,” he said.   

• We did not run away from challenges and hold elections. We have managed to develop exports, we restored the GSP plus which we lost during the last regime. We managed to turn Hambantota Port into a profit making venture. We did all these in five years
• We heard that SLPP is to come up with a new name and they were announcing its candidate at its convention. I wish them all the best