Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa was welcome to extend his assistance to the government, to save the people from the prevailing shortage crises, and there was nothing wrong with him claiming credit for that, Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando told Parliament yesterday.

“The Opposition Leader is welcome if he can assist the government. He has said at a recent rally three countries have offered to send fuel to Sri Lanka if he makes a request. We ask him to contact those countries and get the fuel delivered. You can claim the credit for that, too. People will say that the Opposition Leader is a great person who put the country above politics. All you have to do is to take that offer and help the Sri Lankan public,” Minister Fernando said.

Minister Fernando said so after Opposition Leader Premadasa raised questions on the government’s plans to purchase oil.

Minister Fernando said that there had been instances where the Opposition extended its support to the government. “Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike extended the Opposition’s support to the government when JR Jayewardene’s government and your father’s government were in crisis because of the JVP uprising. So, you can do the same. There is an All-Party Conference. You can attend it and inform the Conference of the three countries that have pledged to send fuel.

Opposition Leader Premadasa: Those countries do not like to work with your government because yours is a racist government that spreads racism. Those countries like to work with us.

Minister Fernando: First you have to come to power for them to work with you. We do not know whether such a thing will ever happen. People have shown twice, in two elections, whom they trusted. An opportunity has presented itself for you to emerge as a national leader; you should bring in oil if possible so that people will start supporting you.

Opposition Leader Premadasa: It seems that the officials who control the microphones in the House are not well. Are they suffering from an illness? My microphone is switched off before I finish my speech. It seems that they have not got the third jab.

Minister Fernando: The microphone is not under the control of the officials. It is under the control of the Chair. Therefore it is no use of blaming the officials.

Opposition Leader Premadasa: I challenge the Chief Government Whip to go out and tell whatever he has to the people in queues. He should know that when transactions are done at state levels it is done on government to government basis, not on government to Opposition basis.

Minister Fernando: For you to obtain their help, you have to first form a government. This oil shortage will last only a couple more weeks. There would be no oil shortage problem in this country in the future. So, even if you succeeded in forming a government by any chance, there would be no fuel shortage. I can meet people and speak to them. Even the day before yesterday I went to Galle and spoke to the people.