Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday called on chairmen and top officials of the gas companies to break their silence and tell people the truth about the prevailing crisis without inconveniencing the government.
Making his remarks to the media during a ceremony at Werahera to lay the foundation stone for the construction of Werahera bridge in Colombo-Horana Road, the minister said that the top officials and the chairmen of the gas supplying companies had responsibility to find solutions to the problems related to the gas crisis.
“I saw on TV how one such chairman could not even be contacted. There is no point in hiding. They need to give answers. That is a part of their job. They have been given those positions. They are not supposed to go into hiding when there are problems of gas shortages or mishaps created by their products. I saw one such chairman of a gas company who was very upstart and rhetoric about corruption, but he too cannot be found to give solutions for the problems faced by people. They are paid not to play the hero by giving voice cuts to the media but to provide services to the people. Their irresponsibility puts people and government in difficulty,” the Minister said.
Asked to comment on opposition’s criticism against the government for proroguing parliament sessions, the minister said: “I saw the Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella telling the media that it was wrong to prorogue Parliament when there are political crises. I ask him to name such a crisis if there are any. Parliament had been prorogued more than 50 times since 1947. This is not something new. Incumbent Opposition Leader’s father, President Ranasinghe Premadasa prorogued parliament when there was an impeachment against him and rubbed pig’s oil on chairs of MPs. We haven’t done such things. Past presidents JR Jayewardene, Premadasa, Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa prorogued parliament. Parliament had been adjourned till Jan 11 and later it was prorogued till Jan 18. The extension is only for seven days. The opposition says that they could discuss solutions if parliament kept open. Have they given any usable or effective solution for any problem during any day that the House met in the recent past? There is a crisis triggered by a dollar shortage. This problem is not for forever and we are working out solutions. If the opposition has any alternative, a better one, I challenge them to tell the nation about it.”
The No 9/2 Werahera bridge in Colombo-Horana Road is estimated to be completed at a cost of Rs 285 millions. Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge was also present at the foundation laying ceremony. The length of the bridge that had been seven meters would be increased to 43.60 meters. It would be 22 meters in width enabling a four lane route. The bridge is to be completed in 15 months and to end flood threats to Boralesgamuwa and adjacent areas.
