Former MP Harin Fernando took a break from his “comeback tour” to visit the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and provide a statement regarding the substandard medicine scam, including the controversial importation of a human immunoglobulin vaccine.
Fernando, who recently reflected on his electoral defeat, compared his party’s loss to being caught in the “shramadana” of the National People’s Power but vowed to rise from the ashes like a determined phoenix. He argued that despite the electoral setback, the lesson learned from the people was clear: don’t give up, even when things seem as dire as the election results for his party.
Responding to questions about whether the previous cabinet should be blamed for the substandard medicine, Fernando distanced himself from direct responsibility, explaining that the cabinet reviews around 60 to 70 documents daily, and ministry secretaries typically finalize them before submission. He pointed out that he had reviewed the relevant documents in his ministry and emphasized that he was merely complying with the court’s request by appearing at the CID to provide the necessary information.
Despite his party’s defeat, Fernando remained optimistic, claiming that not all was lost and that the party’s demise, as some had claimed, was premature. He stressed that they were “caught in the clutches of the National People’s Power” but were determined to “rise again,” echoing the resilience of a politician who won’t let a little thing like an election loss or a CID summons stand in his way.
Regarding the current government, Fernando took a swipe, sarcastically noting that while they had “cleaned the parliament” by introducing new faces and ministers, he still believes there’s space for his party to stage a comeback.
Fernando, who had been summoned to the CID on November 21, made his appearance a day later, citing his commitment to the Badulla area as the reason for his delayed arrival.
