Minister of Highways and Higher Education Lakshman Kiriella stated that anti-government activists are jealous of the fact that the current government has been able to accomplish an unprecedented surge of development greater than that of the Mahinda or Chandrika regimes that lasted for a period of 20 years. 

The Minister of Higher education stated that former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa each had a term of 10 years in power. He further mentioned that neither of the previous regimes were able to achieve the progress that the current government achieved in a span of two years.  

He further stated that several opposition forces have attempted to question and halt the progress of the current government but have all failed to do so. It was also mentioned that the Prime Minister has been able to successfully defend the intentions of the current government in the face of such obstacles. 

The Minister expressed these sentiments while participating in the ‘pahatha Dumbara pubuduwa’ program earlier today (19). 

Minister Kiriella further stated that numerous political entities have questioned the government’s decision to fund the central highway. He further mentioned that the same persons have attempted to dissuade investors of the project by making slanderous remarks of its feasibility.
 
“The central highway will be an expressway like no other. It will be the road that facilitates people to pay their respects to the temple of the tooth in Kandy. Anyone who attempts to halt its progress is committing a grave sin” the minister said.