Former Minister Harin Fernando who was arrested over charges of Election Law violations during the 2024 General Election, has been released on bail.
The Badulla Magistrate’s Court released the former Parliamentarian on a surety of Rs. 500,000 today.
Harin Fernando was arrested by the Badulla Police today on charges of violating the Election Laws of the 2024 Parliamentary Election via his ‘Messi 10’ t-shirt campaign in Badulla Town.
On 11 November, a tense situation was reported in Badulla after the Police attempted to stop political campaigning by Harin Fernando’s supporters.
Fernando and his supporters were seen wearing t-shirts similar to the jersey of international footballer Lionel Messi, bearing the number ‘10’.
Police along with Election Commission officials intervened and requested the former minister’s supporters to remove the t-shirts, stating that it was deemed an indirect campaigning attempt.
An argument then ensued, with Harin Fernando and his supporters claiming that the t-shirts were not connected to election campaigning, with the former MP going to the extent of removing his t-shirt.
However, the Police and Election Commission officials stated that it was deemed a symbolic reference to the former minister’s election candidacy and was deceptive political campaigning. (Newswire)