Former Minister Harin Fernando has questioned why action was not initiated against the supporters of the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) who were seen campaigning for the 2024 Parliamentary Election violating Election Laws.

Harin Fernando raised the question while speaking to the media after having recorded a statement with the Badulla Police today.

He recorded a statement over the incident of wearing t-shirts similar to the jersey of international footballer Lionel Messi, bearing the number ‘10’ in Badulla Town, a few days ahead of the General Election.

Showing pictures of NPP supporters wearing red coloured t-shirts during election campaigning, Harin Fernando said the t-shirt he wore did not bear the ‘gas cylinder’ symbol of his party and neither was the number 10 related to his candidacy. 

Stating that the new government was also resorting to old political ways, the former minister said a new law was being followed by the authorities in this case.

Harin Fernando further revealed he was requested to report to the Badulla Police to record a statement regarding the incident, but was not informed of a date, due to which he himself had reported to the Police today.

Following the recording of the statement, Harin Fernando was arrested by the Badulla Police on charges of violating election laws via his ‘Messi 10’ campaign. (Newswire)

The post Harin questions double standards over election law violations appeared first on Newswire.

Former Minister Harin Fernando was arrested by the Badulla Police today on charges of violating the Election Laws of the 2024 Parliamentary Election. 

During a campaign held in Badulla Town close to the election, the former Parliamentarian had engaged in a heated argument with the Badulla Police, going to the extent of removing his t-shirt.

The Police state that Harin Fernando has been apprehended to record a statement concerning the incident. 

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.

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)

The post Harin Fernando arrested over ‘Messi 10’ campaign appeared first on Newswire.

A tense situation was reported in Badulla after the Police attempted to stop political campaigning by former Minister 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 ministers 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.

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)

Indirect Campaigning: Tense Situation in Badulla as Police Halt Former Minister Harin Fernando’s ‘Messi 10’ Campaign pic.twitter.com/pbrpQ7USo0

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) November 11, 2024

The post Police halt Harin’s ‘Messi 10’ campaign in Badulla appeared first on Newswire.