President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that Sri Lanka cannot be developed by adopting the ‘Singapore model’ which the opposition is allegedly planning to do so.

Speaking at a meeting last evening, he said that Singapore is a much smaller country than Sri Lanka and its economy is based mainly on trade. Sri Lanka is a larger country with a history and traditions and therefore the Singapore model cannot be applied here, he added.

Sri Lanka defeated terrorism through a Sri Lankan model, the president said, adding that in a similar manner, the country cannot be developed by adopting foreign models.

The president also reiterated that the main intention in the opposition camp in bringing the Singapore model is to privatize the state sector.

Rajapaksa also said that the opposition was changing its tone on executive presidency. Those who wanted to abolish it are now changing their stances, he accused, adding that unlike the opposition, he was a man who kept his word.