But even so, there is much to be learnt about Singapore’s ‘disciplined governance’ that should not be scoffed at. Take one example; the implementation of language rights. In contrast, language race and religion have long been employed as toxic political weapons in Sri Lanka. Hundreds of complaints filed to bodies tasked with rectifying these gaps, even to (Tamil) Ministers holding the portfolios of language rights, have been to no avail. Members of the opposition Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP), unashamed purveyors of communalism and proponents of religious and racial hatred, vented on national television regarding the President’s remarks.

Source: Sunday Times January 31, 2026 19:34 UTC