Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday vowed to make radical changes in his ministry and the Road Development Authority in order to streamline their services to the general public.
Addressing a ceremony held at his ministry to commence operations for the new year, the Minister said: “Today I witnessed the longest queues of vehicles in roads. Many have sent me pictures of traffic congestion at entrances and exit points this morning at expressways. Many towns have become chock-a-block. People suffering in traffic congestion blame none but the government. There is no point of us being here if we cannot alleviate the sufferings of people. I have made a decision not to hesitate to make radical changes so that our ministry and RDA could provide the services expected from them by people to their satisfaction.”
The minister said that he would implement changes, where necessary to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the services rendered to the public by the ministry. “What I want is an expedited progress in our work this year. I want all my officials to cooperate with me for that goal. I am thankful to those who had dedicated themselves to serve continuously during the lockdowns of the pandemic. We all must strive to realize the goals set before us by the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ programme of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa,” the Minister said.
Responding to questions by journalists at the end of the ceremony, the minister said that President Rajapaksa could effect any changes to the Cabinet whenever he wanted. “It is his prerogative and he has the power to do so. People have given the powers to appoint the ministers and secretaries to the ministers. He will decide when to use those powers and to make changes. He could do so at the beginning of the year or middle of the year or midnight today,” the minister said.
Asked whether a Cabinet reshuffle could bring about solutions for crises caused by the shortages of gas and dollars, the minister said: “Gas shortage is a crisis caused by officials including the Chairman of Litro gas. It is because of their inefficiency and dereliction of duties a shortage of gas was created during the festive season. The officials should do their job, if not they should resign without creating problems for the people and the government.”
Asked whether the government would go to the IMF seeking a loan to find solutions for the forex reserve crisis, the minister said: “I am not the one who need to go to the IMF. That decision should be made by the Finance Minister. If he thinks it is a necessity, then he would go there. It is not my business to comment on that issue.”
Responding to a journalist who said that Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa had equaled the government to a Maranadara Samithiya in Siyambalanduwa, the Minister said that Sajith Premadasa was the ideal Opposition leader for a government that expects no pressure from the Opposition.
“He would go all around the country uttering whatever that comes to his mouth. He goes to Hambantota and Siyambalanduwa and laments the plight of people in those areas and then comes home to a lavish lifestyle.
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