The Opposition and other opponent political parties spoke against the construction of the road from Lankagama to Neluwa since the day the constructions commenced. None of them said anything positive when this road was being built. Didn’t come to witness the progress. As the Minister in charge of Highways, I have said on several occasions in Parliament and outside as well that I would provide a vehicle and all other facilities to visit Lankagama and see how this road is being constructed. However, what the Opposition did was joining with the JVP and various people and launched protests remaining in Colombo against the construction of this road. They said that the Sinharaja would be destroyed and trees are being cut down. Did any harm befall?
They told the entire world that the Rajapaksas were cutting down trees in the Sinharaja Forest on a large scale to build this road. We did not cut down any trees to build this road. The construction work of this road was carried out by the Engineering Corps of the Sri Lanka Army under the direct supervision of the Road Development Authority.
Highways Minister Johnston Fernando made these remarks in response to a question raised by a journalist regarding the construction progress on the Lankagama – Neluwa Road.
