Harin Fernando claims women lack political awareness

UNP Deputy General Secretary Harin Fernando said that women lack political awareness and are easily deceived.

Speaking to reporters, the former minister defended his controversial stance whilst offering a wide-ranging critique of current governance and opposition strategies, noting that female voters hold a degree of responsibility for the political decisions that led to existing governance challenges across Sri Lanka.

Rejecting calls for an immediate alliance between major opposition factions, Fernando insisted that the United National Party must preserve its independent identity rather than rush into a coalition with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

He outlined plans for a nationwide organizational campaign coinciding with the upcoming 80th anniversary of the party, expressing confidence that his team could deliver results if given leadership responsibilities by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Addressing his recent political silence, he likened his faction to uprooted weeds that have made space for new cultivation, explaining that they are now waiting to observe the outcome of the newly established political landscape.

Fernando said that the government continues to conduct itself like an opposition body instead of delivering tangible progress.

Whilst recognizing that female supporters form a vital backbone for the ruling administration, he asserted that broader political consensus is essential to steering the country forward.

On the topic of urban transit, he acknowledged the continuation of the Metro Bus scheme originally launched under the previous presidency, though he criticized the overall pace of implementation as far too sluggish.