News

Johnston: Opposition’s plan to get people to boo govt. politicians failed

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/30

The Opposition plan to get people to hoot at government politicians in their electorates had failed, Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said yesterday.

“Their plan was to organise people to boo ministers and MPs when we visit our electorates and villages. That did not work because they have no strength or organisational power to work out a campaign of such level. Today their plan went awry and was proven to be another flop. We have come to the village and provinces, but there is none to enact the Opposition’s plan,” Minister Fernando said at Chenkalady, on Tuesday, after commissioning the newly restored 86.7 km Bibile-Chenkalady road.

The Minister said that Opposition members’ wishful thinking that the electorate would reject government political leaders was shattered because they were not capable of engineering such a plot successfully. “It is so weak and that was why people did not vote for them. They think that just because they promote such ideas on social media people would listen to them. Their conduct is so pathetic that they cannot even utter a lie convincingly. On the other hand, people are more intelligent than the Opposition members’ assessment of them. They know we are for real and we will develop this country. We have ensured security in all parts and provinces of this country and brought about a situation where Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay and Burgher communities live as a single nation. They know that we could transform the next three years to be the most successful period in our country’s history.

“We have been working to develop and upgrade the country’s road network system into a modernised network of connectivity as we have promised in the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour programme of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. We have started developing around 800 roads in the Eastern Province alone. The Opposition had once tried to create an opinion that we do not have funds because Islamic countries refuse to help us. Today that too has failed. This road has been modernised with the funds from Saudi Fund for Development. The Fund has allocated more funds for the development of roads. In addition, the World Bank gave us 500 million dollars to develop roads in rural areas.

“There is no disharmony among communities. There is no such problem for the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay and Burgher communities. It is the Opposition’s plots to create rifts among those communities thinking of taking political advantage of such clashes and disharmony.

Our relationships with Islamic countries are intact and thriving. It was Mahinda Rajapaksa who started those diplomatic relations by supporting the cause of Palestine.

People would not fall for the cheap politics of the Sajith Premadasa gang and the Anura Kuamra Dissanayake clique because they know that it was during the times of governments under Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa these provinces recorded the highest development. People know that during the yahapalana time these provinces had nothing but misery and stagnation,” the Minister said.

Upgrading the 86.7 km road from Bibile to Chenkalady cost Rs 7,200 million. The Saudi Fund for Development assisted the Lankan government in covering the cost. The project is considered a major booster to the economy as it provides people easy access to markets and social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals and reduces the travel time due to the reduction of traffic congestion and ultimately reducing the travel cost benefiting passengers and industries.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

In order to safeguard the future of the country, a quality human resource must be developed. – Prime Minister

Published

41 mins ago

2026/02/1

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that in order to ensure the economic, social, and cultural security of the country, it is essential to develop a quality human resource, and that education plays a vital role in achieving this goal.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is committed to bring about a transformation in the education sector, and that the government will continue to move forward by overcoming obstacles encountered along the way, guided by a clear vision and purpose.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the EDCS Sisu Nena Pranama scholarship award ceremony held on Saturday (31) at Temple Trees, organized to recognize the children of the members of the Education Co-operative Society (EDCS) who have been selected to state universities for the academic year2023/2024.

Elaborating further, the Prime Minister noted that this program, organized by the Education Service Employees– Co-operative Thrift and Credit Society Ltd, is not merely about providing scholarships, but is an occasion that recognizes and appreciates the dedication of students and their parents who are preparing to shoulder the responsibility of the country’s future.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that it is a remarkable achievement that a society which began in 1930 with just 58 members and a membership fee of one rupee has today grown into the largest cooperative society in South Asia, with approximately 215,000 members.

The Prime Minister further highlighted how rapidly the world is changing, and the increasing necessity of developing human resources in the face of economic and environmental crises. She stressed that the education system must be transformed from the level of school education itself to align with the demands of the modern world, and that students entering universities should become leaders and active participants in this transformation.

Noting that out of nearly 300,000 students who enter primary education each year, only about 40,000 gain admission to universities, the Prime Minister urged students to make use of this opportunity for the development of the country.

Addressing the occasion, Deputy Minister of Labour and General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers Service Union, Mahinda Jayasinghe, stated that due to corruption-free management, it was possible to increase the financial stability of the society from Rs. 1,200 million to Rs. 1,700 million within a short period of approximately nine months.

Under this year’s program, scholarships amount to over Rs. 13.7 million were awarded to 2,292 students who have been selected to state universities.

This scholarship program, which initiated in 1984 with 15 students and an initial fund of Rs. 3,500, has been conducted continuously for 41 years. At present, scholarships of up to a maximum of Rs. 75,000 per student are awarded, demonstrating the collective strength and solidarity of the teaching community.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Education Development Cooperative Society, Lal Kumara, the Western Province Director of Education, Darshani Iddamalgoda, along with other officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Police face 32,000-officer shortage:IGP

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/1

Thilina Walpola

IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya says that the Police is facing a shortage of nearly 32,000 personnel and is currently operating well below its required strength.

He made these remarks while attending a ceremony held on Friday morning (30) to recognise the contribution of fingerprint officers, crime analysis officers and forensic photographers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department for their role in solving crimes.

Addressing the gathering, the IGP said that around 2,500 police officers are due to retire this year, with a further 2,700 officers expected to retire next year.

In view of the growing cadre shortfall, he said plans are underway to recruit 10,000 new officers to the Sri Lanka Police in the future.

News

Lanka’s Sabina Yousaf wins Mrs. Photogenic, Second Runner-Up at Mrs. World

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/1

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka earned international recognition at the 41st Mrs. World pageant, with Sabina Yousaf being named Second Runner-Up, marking a notable achievement for the country at the prestigious global competition.

In addition to securing a top-three finish, Yousaf also won the Mrs. Photogenic mini-title and placed among the Top 20 contestants, underscoring her strong performance on the international stage.

The Mrs. World 2025 crown was won by Chanita Seedaket Craythorne of Thailand, while Paige Ewing of the United States was declared First Runner-Up.

The grand finale was held on 29 January in Las Vegas, Nevada, and featured contestants from more than 60 countries competing for the coveted title.

The announcement of the Top Three finalists placed Sri Lanka alongside leading global pageant contenders, reinforcing the country’s growing presence in international pageantry.

Final Results – Mrs. World 2025:

Winner: Thailand – Chanita Seedaket Craythorne

First Runner-Up: United States – Paige Ewing

Second Runner-Up: Sri Lanka – Sabina Yousaf