Johnston blames Opposition for ‘spreading false rumours about fuel shortages’

By Saman Indrajith

Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday in Parliament urged the public not to fall for the Opposition’s false propaganda and resort to panic-buying of fuel.

Answering a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on possible fuel shortage owing to the closure of the Sapugaskanda Refinery, the Minister said that the Opposition should be ashamed of spreading canards for political gain. “The subject minister will provide a detailed answer to the Opposition Leader’s question. For the time being the government assures people that there is no shortage of fuel and the stocks we have are sufficient. It is a crime to make people suffer in this manner. There are groups paid by the Opposition to spread false rumours. Some fall for these lies and rush to fuel filling stations and waste time in long queues. There is no need for panic buying and no need to store fuel at home. There have been similar situations and the Opposition has done it again. Our government will supply fuel without any shortage,” the Chief Government Whip said.