Harin, victim of cyber bullying

By Anurangi Singh

Minister Harin Fernando says he has been a victim of cyber bullying over a picture that is currently circulating on social media.

The picture shows Minister Fernando and popular actress Piyumi Hansamali lying together while the Minister shows his trade mark sign of a ‘tick’ which interprets in Sinhala as ‘hari’. This trade mark was adopted by him during his election campaign.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer, the Minister said, “They have clearly edited this picture. This has been a common occurrence for me. I am not worried about it. I have not even met this girl, Piyumi.”

The Minister said that he had received reliable proof, screenshots of conversations to say that this was organized to counteract Duminda’s arrest which happened the day before (Thursday).

He said that even though this is not something new to him he took action against it as it amounts to cyber bulling which should be treated as a grave offence and the culprits punished.

“I have been advocating the introduction of cyber laws and the irony is I have become a victim of it,” the Minister said.

He also reiterated the importance of introducing cyber laws and laws to specally target those who resort to cyber bullying.

Meanwhile, Piyumi Hansamali releasing a video to social media made a statement confirming that this was an edited picture and that she and the minister have never met each other let alone being photographed together.