Johnston Fenrnado, who was one of the most vociferous critiques of Maithripala Sirisena during the election campaign, has attempted to open a line of communication with the new government, just two days after the presidential election.

Fernando, who was the Internal Trade and Cooperatives Minister under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government, often dubbed his leader as the “man who rescued the country” during political talk shows in which he was a regular speaker. The former Minister repeatedly stated that the “grateful people” of Sri Lanka would re-elect President Rajapaksa at the presidential election to serve his third term in office

With his fresh attempt to open a line of communication with the new government, the ‘gratitude’ on the part of the former Minister has come under serious question! On the other hand, he has made this move in a context where the former President – who is now in Medamulana - has embarked on a new battle against President Maithripala Sirisena and his government. The former President, at this point, needs ‘human resources’, more than anything else!

President Sirisena’s government, Asian Mirror learns, is not too keen on facilitating Fernando’s move at the moment. The leaders of the ruling coalition are of the view that Fernando should remain in the opposition until the investigations into corruption and financial misappropriations are over. “After the investigations, Fernando may not want to join President Sirisena’s government,” a prominent figure of the ruling coalition told Asian Mirror last night.