Billions have circulated via Pastor Jerome’s bank accounts -AG

28 July 2023 12:23 pm - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today that investigations have so far revealed that approximately Rs. 12.25 billion have circulated via Pastor Jerome Fernando's bank accounts.

Senior Additional Solicitor General Priyanth Nawana appearing for the Attorney General made this revelation when the two Fundamental Rights petitions filed relating to Pastor Jerome Fernando were taken up before the Supreme Court.

Pastor Jerome Fernando is being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act apart from the charges levelled under ICCPR Act and Penal Code and Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has already issued an overseas travel ban against him.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena appearing for a group of religious leaders including Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera alleged that his clients do not see adequate progress regarding the investigation against Pastor Jerome when compared with two other similar incidents. He said the law enforcement authorities instituted stern legal action against stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya and Ven. Rajangane Saddharathana Thera over making statements that harm religious harmony.

Jayawardena apprised the Supreme Court that the case was coming up, as on the previous occasion, the Attorney General had furnished an undertaking that the law has been duly mobilised against Pastor Jerome, for deliberately insulting the four main religions of the country and that investigations are continuing and facts have been reported to the Magistrate’s Court. He stated that his clients do not see adequate progress.

In response, SASG Nawana stated that examination of 11 bank accounts maintained by Pastor Jerome, has revealed that there have been transactions of as much as Rs.12.25 billion and that complicated investigations were being conducted to ascertain the possible commission of money laundering offences, in addition to other offences. He told the Court that the investigations had been commenced even prior to filing these petitions.

Jayawardena PC stated that in view of this statement made by the Senior Additional Solicitor General, his clients are satisfied with the due progress of the legal processes against Pastor Jerome, and he moved that a sufficiently long date be given for mention, in order to ascertain the further progress in a meaningful manner.

Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne appearing for Pastor Jerome Fernando informed the Supreme Court that he was not objecting to carrying out an investigation against his client under Money Laundering Act.

Taking into consideration the facts, the Supreme Court two-judge-bench comprising Justices Shiran Goonaratne and Arjuna Obeysekara fixed the petitions for October 27, in order to ascertain the progress of the investigations.

In their Fundamental Rights petition, a group of religious leaders are seeking an order directing the IGP to immediately arrest Pastor Jerome Fernando over his hate comments against religious harmony in the country.

However, in a separate application, Pastor Jerome Fernando is seeking an order preventing police from arresting him in connection with this controversial Sunday sermon.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

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Comments - 25

Jeremias Friday, 28 July 2023 01:01 PM

What are the implications resulting from that ?

Senaka Friday, 28 July 2023 01:21 PM

So what's wrong with money circulating in bank accounts? Is Mr Cabraal advising these guys with his Cabraalnomics?

Charith Friday, 28 July 2023 01:22 PM

Must be having a committed following and supporters.

jack Friday, 28 July 2023 01:22 PM

all the gullible have contributed foolishly in anticipation of favors

Eksath Friday, 28 July 2023 01:52 PM

Confiscate these billions. , this country is full of fools no wonder. Where is the runner from justice now ?

Circulator. Friday, 28 July 2023 01:58 PM

Check how many trillions have circulated through Rajapakse and all the cronies accounts.

Be Fair Friday, 28 July 2023 02:19 PM

Who has that kind of Petty Cash, your guess is as good as mine

warrren Friday, 28 July 2023 02:23 PM

These are "holy money". Untouchable!

Nigel Friday, 28 July 2023 02:31 PM

The Con Man Pastor who abandoned his flock and fled into hiding.

Punchi Friday, 28 July 2023 03:03 PM

We should put a transaction levy on all transactions to generate income to the exchequer from people and institutions operating these type of bank accounts

B Friday, 28 July 2023 03:40 PM

Now actual culprits are free. Focus is one mad . Stupid SL

Church goer Friday, 28 July 2023 03:53 PM

The very rich write on their wills that their assets after death should go to their church. In the western world millions and millions are left to church and animal charities. It will be difficult for the Sri Lankans in SL to understand this concept. It’s not fraud. It’s not money laundering. It’s given to religious church.

Ignatius Rasiah Friday, 28 July 2023 03:56 PM

Take it to Courts and get orders to confiscate the money and properties. Is'nt that what you do with illegal money. CONFISCATE>

Modaya Friday, 28 July 2023 04:03 PM

Why is fake Jerome in hiding. If the man is clean he can defa come and be with his faithful followers. No need to play hide and seek or hide and watch?

Spy Friday, 28 July 2023 04:31 PM

Anyone out there who wants to earn billions??? Look no further, start your career by preaching. No formal education or theology qualifications are required. Only a microphone and an interpreter is needed . Cherry pick a few verses in the Bible and you are on your way to earn Billions. Also don’t forget have some high profile politicians join the service. Best of Luck!

False Prophit Friday, 28 July 2023 04:35 PM

If pastor Jerome has registered his multiple companies under the companys act, they are businesses and not a religious organisation. Therefore the Inland Revenue department should collect some taxes.

Money travels in circular motion - Newton's fourth law of Physics Friday, 28 July 2023 04:36 PM

It's only circulated. That means the money went into his account, then transferred to his wife's account then transferred to a Swiss bank account. That's circulated - it's sort of circular isn't it? These things happen only in a country of morons who play to the religious gallery. Wake up fellow Sri Lankans.

Wiraj Friday, 28 July 2023 05:51 PM

Appreciate that CID has acted very fast in this case. But, why there is no serious action by them to rope in the Rajapakse clan? Why did they not reveal the amounts in the name of the clan in Dubai and Singaporean banks when cases were presented, that too in a flimsy manner?

VJ Friday, 28 July 2023 05:52 PM

The investigations are not over yet, we must wait for the final report. This case reminds me of Jim Baker, the founder of PTL club who was sent to jail for paying hush money to cover up a rape allegation. He too had large amounts of unaccounted money. It only started with bad mouthing other religions and now into possible money laundering and you never the investigations might unearth more interesting facts.

childOfGod Friday, 28 July 2023 05:53 PM

I have yet to hear of any CHURCH being involved in money laundering, all monies they receive are donations be it running into millions and or billions We believers have only ONE JUDGE with NO JURY. Why not wait and let his Legal Team represent him and patiently await the outcome. Until then, keep pressing for the BIG FISH and ALL those who played a part in moving funds out/or in the country be investigated and brought before a court of law in order to go after recovering the multi billions and or trillions. Pastor Gerome was NOT responsible for the downfall of the Country and or the suffering of the MASSES. It's time some of you got your priorities in order and let the CASE in Courts proceed, focus on pressing for more important issues and matters that affect each and everyone of you and Sri Lanka as a whole. w

K. Ranaweera Friday, 28 July 2023 07:08 PM

Rajapakse's black money to be legalized?

Christo255 Friday, 28 July 2023 07:44 PM

Best business in town, sell the name if God

Uthum Friday, 28 July 2023 08:30 PM

Some folk are interested in keeping this puppet show going and ignoring the key commission kaka's and money launderers that has brought this country to its current state.

Anura Nanayakkara Saturday, 29 July 2023 08:37 AM

Please investigate this properly to find out whether illegal activities been committed by this person in question. No one is above the law.

mcd jayasekera of negombo Tuesday, 01 August 2023 12:06 PM

Buddhist monks in temples has more money than the pastor

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Billions have circulated via Pastor Jerome’s bank accounts -AG

Comments - 25

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