Old Wine in Older Bottles

• Published date: 30 May 2022
• Publication title: Colombo Gazette

By N Sathiya MoorthyNow that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's Cabinet has taken some substantial if not final shape, the question arises if the old wine in an older bottle or bottles tastes matured or sour. That it's only old wine in older bottle or bottles, there can be no two opinions about it.

But for all those who have been protesting for a systemic change at their G-3 venue in capital Colombo's Galle Face Green beach-front, it should taste bitter. Rather, it leaves a bitter-sweet taste thus far, not knowing what even the next sip, leave aside glass, has in store.

The same applies to the 11-party coalition that is shaping up after 40 MPs in three groups had walked out of the ruling SLPP-led alliance. Some of those 40 MPs have already left to join the Government.

There again, it's the same old face, the same old approach to politics. The question here arises if they had jumped when the felt the seeping sea water in their feet, or to offload the ship of extra burden to make the vessel lighter and better navigable until it reaches safety.

In either case, it is very unlikely that any new concepts, ideas or political behaviour would flow out of the existing institutional framework and the participants therein. It is true of the Opposition SJB and the scores of minority parties of every shape, size and hue.

There is little or no hope for change even in the much-maligned JVP, which underwent some sweeping leadership changes when the current team upstaged the never-ending term of the much-forgotten Somawansa...