by Rex Clementine

After government-backed goons attacked peaceful protesters at the Galle Face Green on Monday plunging the country into further turmoil, fingers have been pointed at former Minister Johnston Fernando for instigating the attacks. Successive leaders have failed to rein in Minister Fernando, who has a reputation for being a loose cannon.

The UNP won the General Elections in 2001 and Johnston Fernando was one of the confidants of Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe ahead of several seniors. For example, Fernando and Gamini Jayawickrama Perera had contested from the same district (Kurunegala) and Perera, a veteran in politics had obtained some 25,000 more preferential votes than rookie Fernando. But for some reason, Johnny emerged as one of Ranil’s blue-eyed boys and he was handed the Sports Ministry at a time when the nation was set to host its biggest sporting event – the ICC Champions Trophy.

Not sure why Ranil then and even the current leaders allow Jonny to have a considerable say in decision making. His deep pockets are thought to be one reason.

As Sports Minister, Johnny made the headlines for the wrong reasons. One of the first events that he attended was a basketball tournament at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Johnny was in a rush and he walked off soon after the awards presentation. At this point, the national anthem was sung. Johnny kept walking without stopping. The press reported it the next morning. Johnny was busy shooting the messenger.

Around the same time, Zimbabwe were in Sri Lanka for a three-match Test series. The national cricket team was enjoying a good run having won a hard-fought series against India and whitewashed West Indies in Test match cricket. Soon it was clear that Zimbabwe weren’t going to be any match for formidable Sri Lanka.

The selectors were keen on blooding some young players against the weak opposition and wanted to hand Chamara Silva his Test debut in the Asgiriya Test match.

The seniors didn’t like this and had arguments with the selectors. The selectors stood their ground. Eventually, the seniors took the matter up to Johnny, who had the final say on selections as the appointment of selectors came under his purview.

Johnny in an unprecedented move overruled the selectors and gave in to the wish of the seniors. Poor Chamara Silva suffered in silence and had to wait for five more years to make his Test debut.

As for the selectors, they were replaced by Johnny and a new panel was announced. Johnny ensured there was representation from Kurunegala in the new selection committee. That was Johnny’s way of handling a crisis. A bull in a China shop is less troublesome than Johnny.