Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake has assured that the National People’s Power (NPP) government will serve its full five-year term and will then seek a fresh mandate from the people.

Speaking to the media in Hambantota, he praised President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya as assets to the government and emphasized that there are no divisions within the ruling party.

He criticised Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and MP Namal Rajapaksa, claiming they lack unity, and urged them not to waste time trying to destabilise the government.

“They can continue their mudslinging campaigns on social media, but it won’t affect our administration,” he said.

Rathnayake further alleged that during the Rajapaksa era, both Premadasa and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had hoped for a crisis, even a plane crash, to seize power.

“Even at the peak of the Rajapaksa government, they were waiting for an opportunity to take over,” he added.

He concluded by reaffirming that the government’s top priority is to act responsibly for the welfare of the people.