Theatrics such as getting wet in the rain while talking to farmers in paddy fields would not help wash away the sins of robbing the Central Bank committed by those now in the Opposition, Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said.

Addressing a ceremony to mark the launch of a programme to develop the Palapathwela-Galewela road in Matale under the 100,000 km road development project of the Vistas of Splendour and Prosperity, Minister Fernando said that theatrics such as the Opposition leader going to paddy fields in the rain to speak to farmers would not exonerate him of his responsibility in the Treasury bond scam.

The country’s economy had been ruined by those now in the opposition when they helped the Yahapalana government to rob the central bank. People would never forget or forgive them for the national crime they committed. “Despite the pandemic we did not let the economy collapse. The economy is safe because of the simple tax system and policies of this government”, he said.

“We tell people with responsibility that we will complete the development process we have started. There are some temporary problems such as the shortage of some essential items. That shortage has been created by black marketeers to profit from the pandemic. Soon this situation will change”.

The Minister said that 670 roads in the Matale District had been ear-marked for development. The Palapathwela-Galewela road to be widened and developed would be completed in 12 months. Under the project 30.75 km would be developed at a cost of Rs 3,552 million. “Not a single road had been developed during the five years of the Yahapalana government. They promised to construct a Central expressway to Kandy but they did not do that. They promised to build an expressway to Dambulla but could not do so. Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon asked me to develop this road”.

Minister of Public Service, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon and political leaders of the Matale District were present on the occasion.