Johnston asks for Trade Ministry?

24 January 2023 03:52 pm - 42 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Former Highways Minister Johnston Fernando is reported to have sought a cabinet portfolio from President Ranil Wickremesinghe since a new cabinet was sworn in a few months ago, the Daily Mirror learns.

Political sources said that the ministry he has sought is the Trade Portfolio.

However, his request is yet to be approved by the President who recently said that he would not be handing out anymore portfolios anytime soon following the latest appointments of Jeevan Thondaman and Pavithra Wanniarachchi as cabinet ministers.

The President had reportedly told his cabinet that he had no more intentions of expanding his cabinet further anytime soon.

Meanwhile after reading the Daily Mirror article, a spokesman for the Former Minister Johnston Fernando, in a brief statement stated that Fernando had not requested for any portfolio from anyone.

Denying the move, the Spokesman further said that the Daily Mirror should have contacted the former Minister for a comment before publishing the news story.

However attempts by the Daily Mirror to contact the former minister before the article was published, failed.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 42

Man Tuesday, 24 January 2023 04:01 PM

There's abundance of money with the 75th independence.

Edwards .Carlyle . Tuesday, 24 January 2023 04:05 PM

It seems that the trade Ministry is a very lucrative Ministry ???'

Mizaru Tuesday, 24 January 2023 04:10 PM

Dear Mr. President, give all 134 who voted for you cabinet minister posts. The best way to consolidate your power base.

Rajesh k Tuesday, 24 January 2023 04:12 PM

When government minister attacks protestors he gets ministerial post but protestors get jail sentences under PTA. Welcome to pol pot and his banana republic

tilak Tuesday, 24 January 2023 04:15 PM

offer him the ministry of kassipu brewing

Mahila Wednesday, 25 January 2023 01:00 AM

Or maybe offer him (NOT EXCISE) but Ministry to print and supply special seals for ARRACK bottles!? Happy???

Gamarala Tuesday, 24 January 2023 04:20 PM

A chimpanzee would have been a better choice.

Mandayan Tuesday, 24 January 2023 04:31 PM

MR needs money for election expenditure and ask this guy to get into Trade ministry where he can make it quickly.

Dhusana Tuesday, 24 January 2023 04:36 PM

He always takes over only "GOLD MINES".

Mkm Tuesday, 24 January 2023 04:40 PM

Parliament or jail first of all you finish you jail term then come to the parliament.

Vadivelu Yogaratnam Tuesday, 24 January 2023 04:47 PM

End of trade end of great Lanka.

Nm Tuesday, 24 January 2023 05:11 PM

JF is one of the most despised characters in the Pohottuwa govt after BR. RW will have to watch out.

C.K.Lankaputhra Tuesday, 24 January 2023 05:15 PM

This man should have been in the prison for the thefts he has commited. He is one of the most cussed members in the parliment.

Lokka Tuesday, 24 January 2023 05:16 PM

This fellow should not be in the parliament in the first place. If he is accommodated in the cabinet it will be Ranil's downfall.

Johan Tuesday, 24 January 2023 05:59 PM

After bankrupting the country they must be sent to political Rehabilitation Centres or Orphanage without further damaging the country

Seqi Tuesday, 24 January 2023 06:13 PM

He'd make a good water boy for local soft ball cricket tournament. Has no team player qualities.

Hora arakku jony Tuesday, 24 January 2023 06:14 PM

If this crooked thug become trade minister, it will be final nail to countries total bankruptcy.

Baba Tuesday, 24 January 2023 07:02 PM

Give him the Governors post at the Central Bank so that he can rob more.

Alvarez Tuesday, 24 January 2023 07:03 PM

Shameless

Sri Tuesday, 24 January 2023 07:54 PM

Tell him go home now time right to go home.. who will vote him next time ?

Citizen Tuesday, 24 January 2023 08:25 PM

This ministry seems to be a "commi pappa" that's why Johnny had ask for this ministry particularly.. Politics at its best...

DHA Tuesday, 24 January 2023 09:13 PM

Final ditch to rob...

Che Tuesday, 24 January 2023 09:34 PM

god forbid

DJ Tuesday, 24 January 2023 10:35 PM

Offer him the post of Crooks an criminals

Pantha Kumaran Tuesday, 24 January 2023 11:13 PM

Daily Mirror will not publish my comments. But it is my duty to submit my comment. Johnston Fernando is not fit to hold any ministrial portfolio. He was involved in lots of illegal activities. Do you really want to appoint this man again.?????

Nihal S Wednesday, 25 January 2023 01:00 AM

Put him jail, well deserved place for him with his friend Ranathunga.

peter Wednesday, 25 January 2023 01:10 AM

johnstone you were bigtime crook with mahindrapaksa and you are asking fominiosterial post when you shold be in jail

Lal. Fernando. Wednesday, 25 January 2023 01:14 AM

This CORRUPT UN EDUCATED MINISTER LOOKING TO SEE WHERE HE CAN ROB AND GET COMMISSIONS.

L Jaya Wednesday, 25 January 2023 05:49 AM

He is unstable and sick without a ministerial cabinet post. Ministry of Trade is a a gold mine for him

Jayantha de Alwis Wednesday, 25 January 2023 06:17 AM

Expect the 2024 Independence day celebrations RW

Moh Sleiman Wednesday, 25 January 2023 06:20 AM

RANIL should offer him a TOILET cleaners job in Parliament,thats the best Job this thief can do ,thats what he did in DUBAI before he crept into MAHINDA RAJAPAKSHAs SARONG.

VJ Wednesday, 25 January 2023 06:21 AM

Give him the ministry he wants on condition that he must sit and pass the GCE OL before accepting the position.

Erin Edwin Wednesday, 25 January 2023 07:35 AM

I wish this guy rotten in hell. F hate to see this guy face

Punchi Wednesday, 25 January 2023 07:41 AM

Why are we complaining, our no truer friend will fund all the expenses for all our ministers.

MirakRajBanda Wednesday, 25 January 2023 07:49 AM

Only ministry where some money left to rob and he's after it. No wonder........

Jamini Wednesday, 25 January 2023 09:09 AM

shit country with no laws, only gnanasara and these rogues are ruling .. thuuuu

gamini Wednesday, 25 January 2023 09:10 AM

RW do you have a back bone to say NO to this crook

Kumaran Wattala Wednesday, 25 January 2023 09:28 AM

Another Aragalays is imminent to stop these crooks rob the country again this fellow should have been put into the prison to avoid further damage to the country. Ranil should act as a statesman than a bankrupt politician.

CitizenF Wednesday, 25 January 2023 10:36 AM

This man JF left UNP criticizing the present President that he is not a suitable leader.Why does he want to work under him again? Perks I believe is greater than self respect.

Hubert Congreve Wednesday, 25 January 2023 01:25 PM

Johnston too became a Lawyer same as Namal. Other than that, what is the qualification for him to become a trade minister?

F.M. Samarasinghe (Attorney-at-Law) Wednesday, 25 January 2023 01:27 PM

If the trade ministry is given to Jonny, he will trade his Kassipoo and make his quick money.

Cherath Wednesday, 25 January 2023 03:26 PM

The people who voted for idiotic, alcoholic parasites like this should hang their heads in shame till eternity. Johnson is too right to keep pushing for elite positions from where he can continue to suck the country dry. When are the people going to realise the cross they put on the ballot paper IS a cross for life or death, depending for whom it is marked.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Johnston asks for Trade Ministry?

Comments - 42

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident