Former Minister Harin Fernando yesterday (23) stated that steps would be taken to inform the international community of what he described as attempts by the Government to unfairly imprison former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Addressing a media briefing at his political office on Mal Road in Colombo, Fernando alleged that the current administration was engaged in political victimisation against Wickremesinghe. He said complaints would be submitted to major international bodies, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations, and the European Parliament, outlining what he termed political persecution.

He further stated that a special awareness programme would also be carried out at the level of diplomatic missions.

Fernando said that, at a time when the country had been in severe crisis, Wickremesinghe had helped stabilise the nation, and that the Government’s actions amounted to a “petty witch-hunt” driven by political motives.

He added that he would not remain silent in the face of what he described as unjust interventions by the Government.

According to Fernando, a large-scale awareness campaign involving members of the clergy, lawyers, and youth groups in every district is scheduled to commence after 1 March.

Criticising the conduct of the present administration, he said that one and a half years of its term had already elapsed, with only a limited period remaining. Drawing on his experience in previous governments, Fernando said that prioritising political retaliation over governance would result in wasted time, ultimately leaving no meaningful service rendered to the country.

He further claimed that the current situation could mark the beginning of the end of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s political journey.

Fernando also referred to remarks allegedly made by a Government minister and questioned whether personal jealousy could be a factor behind what he described as continued attacks on Wickremesinghe.

He concluded by stating that officials who stand for rights may, in future, refuse to act in accordance with political directives, and emphasised that the struggle for justice would not be abandoned.