Harin Fernando
| Honourable Harin Fernando MP | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure | |
|
Assumed office 4 September 2015 | |
| President | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Prime Minister | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Member of Parliament for Badulla District | |
|
Assumed office 2015 | |
|
In office 2010 – 5 August 2014 | |
| 7th Chief Minister of Uva Province | |
|
In office 14 January 2015 – 1 September 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Shashindra Rajapaksa |
| Succeeded by | Chamara Sampath Dassanayake |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
28 October 1978 Wattala |
| Political party | United National Party |
| Alma mater | St. Joseph's College |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Businessman |
Harin Fernando, MP (born 28 September 1978) is a Sri Lankan politician. He is a current member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from Badulla District.[1] and the cabinet minister of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure of the United National Party led National Government.[2] He was the 7th Chief Minister of Uva Province,
Early life and education
Born in Wattala to a Roman Catholic family, Fernando was educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo.
Political career
Fernando was appointed as United National Party (UNP) electoral organizer for Badulla District at age of 27 and won the highest amount of votes in the Uva Province Council Election in 2005, He was elected as Member of Parliament for Bandulla District in 2010 and resigned on 5 August 2014 to contest as candidate for Chief Minister of Uva Province.[3] Even though Fernando won the highest number of preferential votes, the UNP lost in Uva Provincial Council election. Fernando became the leader of the opposition in the Uva Province Council.
Fernando played critical role in defeating Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Election 2015 which Rajapaksa called for early election when UPFA won narrowly at Uva Provincial Election. He had strongly criticised the Rajapaksa regime for its corruption, authoritarian rule and rise of lawlessness. Fernando also openly campaigned for the Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Election which had curb the popularity of UPFA in the Uva Province compare to 2010.[N 1]
Soon after the Presidency Election, a number of UPFA provincial councilors backed him thus giving the majority in the Uva Province Council. He was sworn in as Chief Minister of Uva Province before the Governor and unseated Shashindra Rajapaksa from power.[4]
In August 2015, he was elected to parliament gaining the highest votes in the Badulla District. Shortly thereafter he was appointed as Cabinet Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure.[5][6]
References
- ↑ "HARIN FERNANDO, M.P.,". Parlaiment of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ↑ http://www.adaderana.lk/news/32222/new-ministers-sworn-in
- ↑ "Harin’s triumph in defeat lifts UNP sky-high". The Sunday Times. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ↑ "Harin Fernando takes oath as Uva Chief Minister". adaderana.lk. January 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Preferential votes- General Election 2015". adaderana.lk. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ↑ "3 Chief Ministers and 4 opposition leaders elected to parliament". Hiru news. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
Notes
- ↑ Significantly reduced Rajapaksa's popularity in Badulla and Monaragala after Harin's criticisms.
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