COLOMBO, Apr 17 (ePRESS) – Former Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Ali Sabry warned that “easy promises” made in opposition can quickly collapse when faced with the realities of governing, stressing that people ultimately “live on results, not promises.”
In a strong statement, Sabry said it is always easy to sell a dream, especially one that is “sweeping, emotive, and detached from reality,” noting that ambitious pledges are often accepted without question during political campaigns.
He said such promises become “easy currency” in opposition, as they cost nothing and carry no immediate consequence, but added that governing is a completely different challenge.
“Governing is not about rhetoric. It is about responsibility,” Sabry said, highlighting that leadership involves making difficult decisions, balancing trade-offs and working within constraints to ensure long-term stability and credibility.
He stressed that once promises meet reality, their true weight is revealed, warning that failure to deliver can quickly erode public trust and damage credibility.
“The gap between expectation and outcome breeds frustration and disillusionment,” he said.
Sabry added that a nation cannot be run on aspiration alone, but must be grounded in honesty, realism and competence.
“Because in the end, people do not live on promises. They live on results,” he said.
