Political bankruptcy of the Opposition was amply demonstrated by the way it made jokes out of travel restrictions and health regulations introduced to curtail the spread of the pandemic, Chief Government Whip Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said yesterday.

Addressing the media after inspecting the commencement of an inoculation drive n Kurunegala electorate, Minister Fernando said: “We saw on TV how a supporter of Harin Fernando was pushing a wheelbarrow to carry groceries. The guideline restricting the use of vehicles was one of the measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The threat of the virus is not a joke. We know that the Opposition is not capable of understanding the severity of the threat posed to the people from the pandemic. We still remember how they have been laughing off and were joking soon after the Easter Sunday terror attacks. So, it’s natural that the very same people making jokes out of travel restrictions.

“The travel restrictions have been imposed as per instructions of all leading medical expert associations of the country. The restrictions are relaxed from time to time because people want to buy food and groceries. People have to go to banks and pharmacies. Vehicle restriction was imposed to minimise travel. If vehicles had been allowed they would have travelled long distances unnecessarily.

“We have received 50,000 Sinopharm vaccine doses for the people of Kurunegala. We hope to vaccinate those above the age of 30 years. As per the records, there are bout 1.1 million people above 30 years in this district. In the coming days we will get more vaccines and they will help vaccinate all the people in the district. Vaccinating is taking place today at 28 locations in the district as per the guidelines of the Provincial Health Director. I assure the public that all of them will be vaccinated before long. Priority will be given to those in areas where the pandemic is spreading fast.

Sports and Youth Minister Namal Rajapaksa was also with Minister Fernando to inspect the vaccination programme.