Ranjan’s imprisonment saddens me – Johnston

By Buddhika Samaraweera

Mentioning it was not something to be happy about someone being imprisoned, Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando said he was saddened over MP Ranjan Ramanayake being imprisoned.

He expressed these views during an observation tour of the Ornamental Fish Breeding and Training Centre at Rambadagalle, Rideegama on 12 January.

“I do not want anyone to go to jail. During the previous regime, they had made false allegations, fabricated evidence, talked to judges, and committed various misconducts. Instead of strengthening the economy, they had committed the Central Bank Treasury Bond scam twice,” Fernando said.

He added that as experienced politicians, they were able to face all those challenges well. It was during their Government that cases were filed against Ramanayake. There should be a limit to insulting. We never insulted the judiciary and always respected the court. There is no discipline in a country if the judiciary is disrespected, he noted.

Speaking further, he said, “But the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa and our Government were blamed for the removal of the then Chief Justice. We did it according to the laws of the country.”

He also said the former Chief Justice Mohan Pieris was removed after being threatened by Azath Salley and that many would have been in trouble if these matters are investigated.

He said they were free due to President Rajapaksa’s humanitarian qualities.