Chief Government Whip, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said that nobody should entertain any doubt that the Government would collapse as the Government is stable and strong enough to develop the country and its economy in keeping with the people’s aspirations. “We call upon the people to think positively and in a rational manner and join hands to develop the country under the visionary leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa irrespective of petty political differences,” the Minister told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
“As long as this President and the Government is in power, we will not provide any room for the country to go bankrupt or its economy to collapse. Although the Covid-19 pandemic still exists in the country, we will successfully face each and every challenge and develop the country by building confidence among the people,” the Minister said.
The Minister said the Opposition is under the impression that the Government would collapse. If they think so, they will have to wait during the entire tenure of this Government for the purpose. The Opposition thinks a group of Government MPs will join them to form a Government. There are many Opposition MPs who are only too willing to join the Government. There is no threat to the present composition of the Government and it will remain unchanged, he said.
He said, “Several SJB MPs had held discussions with us over the past four months to join the Government. Therefore, I state with responsibility that if some of our MPs attempt to cross over to the Opposition, we have drafted a program to successfully face it.”
Minister Fernando said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s leadership has ensured the stability of the Government. He not only provided the Covid-19 vaccine to the people but also ensured that people were not kept in hunger. Therefore, his name would go down in the annals of the country’s history as the leader who safeguarded the country during this most turbulent period. The President is also a leader who is fully committed to eliminating corruption.
The Minister said that discipline will be strictly maintained within the Government. As the President said it is the collective responsibility of Government lawmakers to manage setbacks as a team. Therefore, all Ministers and Members of Parliament should work together as a team for the country’s progress.
Minister Fernando said most of those in the Opposition say that SJB Leader and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa will never be able to consolidate power. Today, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is bragging due to the weaknesses of Sajith Premadasa. Most of those in the Opposition are well aware that Premadasa is a weak leader and not in a position to secure victory at an election.