SJB on the verge of a split: Johnston

By Yohan Perera

 Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said over the weekend that the main opposition SJB is on the verge of a  split. 

He said the split will take place within weeks.

“Serious cracks have appeared and the SJB is on the verge of splitting into several groups. The split is certain and what is not certain is whether it would be into four or five groups,” Fernando said on Saturday during a ceremony held at the Provincial Council auditorium in Kurunegala to launch aqua farming entrepreneurs in the district. 
Responding to questions by journalists who demanded the minister to comment on the recent statement by SJB MP Diana Gamage that the party would split into several groups, the minister said the Opposition  Leader Sajith Premadasa had lost twice and party followers had no hope that he would be able to steer the party to a victory. “His impotence and immaturity are the main reasons for the inevitable split. In the face of this crisis, he goes on paddy fields in the rain without an umbrella to show that he stands for the cause of farmers. These are cheap theatrics. Such things are done actually to save his own skin and are not for the benefit of farmers,” the minister said. 

Asked to comment on prevailing shortages of essential goods in the market, the Chief Government Whip said that the shortages resulting from the closure of the country for months and were temporary.  He said the market will stabilize in the coming weeks.“Farmers have complained of a fertilizer shortage and I am asking them to resume their cultivation because fertilizer would be there on time. I request them to have faith in this government. We will eradicate the fertilizer shortage in a few weeks’ time. Even if their crops fail, we would compensate them. These shortages of milk powder, gas, and some other items are temporarily caused by forex shortage and the pandemic. We as a government have been able to save the lives of people from the pandemic. The worst part of the pandemic is over. We have removed price controls and in the coming day’s shortages will come to an end” he said. 

Asked to comment on the possibility of holding provincial council elections, the minister said holding elections ensure democracy. All those shouting of the opposition will come to an end when an election is announced. The opposition is afraid of elections because it knows that it cannot win.. They even went to courts to delay the elections” the minister said in this regard. 

Commenting on reports that some MPs are to resign to contest for chief minister posts and on monies had been allocated for electorates last week, the minister said that funds had been allocated not for elections but to improve infrastructure facilities in the rural areas and develop economies of farming communities. “We are ready for an election any time. We do not need to allocate funds and make preparations for elections to win like other parties. We made impressive achievements such as restoring national security, containing the pandemic and marched from strength to strength. People want a government that protects them. We are the only party that could save them,” he said.

Among those present were State Minister of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish and Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multi-Day Fishing Activities and Fish Exports Kanchana Wijesekera, MPs UK Sumith, Gunapala Ratnayake, local government officials and politicians of the Kurunegala District.