Commissions were not independent under former Govt.: Johnston

Commissions were not independent under the former Government due to the appointment of close associates to top positions, Roads and Highways, Ports and Shipping Minister Johnston Fernando said yesterday. 

Johnston Fernando

According to a statement released by his Ministry, Fernando had alleged that the former Government intervened in decision-making and procedures of various commissions, adding: “Recently some of the officials of these institutions has declared the hidden procedure carried out within these institutions.”

Naming politicians like Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Rajitha Senaratne and Patali Champika Ranawaka, Fernando said that these individuals “did their politics with the direct support of Temple Trees” and that “they made unfounded allegations” against the former Opposition.  

He added that the allegations made against Rajitha Senaratne and Patali Champika Ranawaka were not made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa or Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa but by the courts. “It is the responsibility of the courts and not politicians to punish citizens for illegal acts,” Fernando said.

The above statements were made at an event organised by A.J.M. Muzammil Association to distribute stationery items to school students in Kurunegala.