Johnston hints at ‘conspiracy’ behind gas explosions, promises to reveal ‘truth’

Questions being raised about the actual cause of gas leak explosions would be answered when the findings of an investigation were made public soon, Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said yesterday.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the opening of a three-storeyed building at Kurunegala Maliyadeva Girls’ School, the Minister said, “We have suspicions about the so-called gas explosions. Incidents have been reported from many places. However, there were no such incidents reported from the houses in Colombo 7, the Northern Province, Kandy or Kurunegala. After several ministers expressed concerns, the President ordered an investigation. Its results will be made public soon and thereafter we will know the truth,” the Minister said.

Minister Fernando said that apart from the so-called gas leak explosions and shortage of gas there were several other burning issues to which the government’s attention was drawn. “There are shortages and resultant price increases. We try our level best to bring down the prices and replenish the stocks to avoid scarcities. Apart from those temporary problems, there are many other issues caused by the pandemic. It was the schoolchildren who suffered most because of the pandemic.

“Teachers and principals have been urging the government to solve their salary anomaly problem, which has now been sorted out. Sinister forces made use of that problem to further their interests. They even instigated the teachers to take to the streets. But the Opposition, which pledged solidarity with the teachers, did not vote for the budget that allocated funds for the rectification of teachers’ salary anomalies. Such is their concern for teachers!”