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Government will move forward despite Opposition’s obstacles: Johnston 

27 Oct 2021

The Government will proceed with its objectives despite resistance from the Opposition, stated Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando on Monday (25).  Speaking at the inauguration of construction on the first section of the Port Access Elevated Highway on Monday, Fernando stated: “Ours is a very cool President and a Government. Despite allegations and accusations, we continue to work. Dogs may bark but the caravan moves on, and in the same way, the Government will move forward despite obstacles created by the Opposition.”  Speaking about the construction, he stated: “I am so happy and proud that with this project, our engineers will have hands-on experience with the latest technology in the world, because it is the first time in this country a pre-cast bridge is being constructed as an elevated highway.” He further alleged that the Opposition was behind the ongoing issues over fertiliser, and had employed similar methods against the Port City project.  “Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake calculated and convinced people using figures that the sea could not be reclaimed to build the port city, even if we use crushed stones from all the rocks in the country. That government suspended the Port City project, but had to resume construction later, after giving more acres away from this country’s ownership,” he stated.  “This is a mega development project that includes not only the elevated highway, but also a six-lane tunnel route at a cost of Rs. 28 billion. In the face of the pandemic, this Government continued its development work while protecting the lives of people.”  He went on to further lambast the Opposition for not aiding the Government, stating: “Sajith Premadasa and his men did nothing but criticise the Government and peddle conspiracy theories. They spent their time finding fault with the President and the Government instead of acting as a responsible Opposition to help the Government save the lives of people.  “The Opposition has commenced a mud-slinging campaign against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, whose name will be in the annals of history of this country for saving lives of people. We could not engage in active politics for one year and seven months during which period we gave priority to saving the lives of people. The President did not make differences of people on their party colours when he worked for them or saved their lives.”  He also stated that the issues regarding the prices of essential commodities was a temporary situation due to the pandemic, and that it is now changing for the better.  


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