Former Minister Harin Fernando, arrested for allegedly violating election laws during the 2024 General Election, has been granted bail. The Badulla Magistrate’s Court set his bail at Rs. 500,000 today.
Fernando was taken into custody by the Badulla Police earlier today due to his controversial ‘Messi 10’ t-shirt campaign in Badulla Town, which authorities claimed contravened election regulations. Tensions escalated in the area on November 11 when police intervened to halt political activities involving Fernando’s supporters.
The supporters were seen wearing t-shirts resembling the jersey of renowned footballer Lionel Messi, featuring the number ‘10.’ Police and Election Commission officials requested that the t-shirts be removed, viewing them as an indirect form of campaigning.
In response, Fernando and his supporters argued that the t-shirts were not intended for political purposes, with the former minister even taking off his shirt to emphasize his point. However, officials maintained that the shirts were a symbolic representation of Fernando’s candidacy and constituted misleading campaigning. The incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny and challenges surrounding election conduct in the region.
