• The government should be continued in a diligent way

By Yohan Perera 

Minister of Highways and Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando yesterday urged those in the government not to make public statements before the media and destroy the character of innocent persons. 

Speaking during the SLPP Bala Mandala meeting in Polgahawela Mr. Fernando said no one will be allowed within the SLPP to criticise any of the Rajapaksas. “Some like the big brother and oppose the younger brother. Those who favour the big brother do not like the younger brother. This is a joke. The government should be continued in a diligent way,” the Minister said. 

“One must remember that Yoshitha Rajapaksa was sent to jail in the middle of the night. He was taken to courts on Saturday. Namal Rajapaksa was sent to jail with a false allegation that he accepted a monetary reward from someone who sponsored a rugby tournament. 

Some were jailed for staging a protest against the selling of Hambantota Port. Do not forget these incidents. Remember that the spots of a leopard do not get erased just because the animal goes into a new forest,” he said. 
“We inherited an empty treasury and an economy which had the lowest economic growth. Besides, the country was ruled by those who allowed 300 people to be killed within seconds. They even laughed at dead bodies. 
Even the international community wants to see the Rajapaksas attacked by those within the government. This is the kind of situation, which Premadasa also wants,” he added.