Addressing a political rally, former Pohottuwa (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna) minister Johnston Fernando stated:
"Sri Lanka is collapsing day by day. This great country, built and developed by Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, is being destroyed day by day.
Day by day. But no matter how much the country has fallen under this government, the arrogance of the government's leader, leaders, and those in parliament has not diminished even by a cent."