Sun, 19 May 2024 Today's Paper

High Court serves indictments on Johnston Fernando and two others

By

10 October 2022 12:05 pm - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Colombo High Court today served indictments on former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others over another corruption case filed against them by the Bribery Commission.

High Court judge Namal Balalle  ordered each accused to be released on bail. 

Defence Counsel informed court that they are expecting to bring preliminary objections against the indictments. The Case was fixed for trial on November 1. 

The Bribery Commission filed this corruption case against former Minister Johnston Fernando, former CWE (Lak Sathosa) Chairman Eraj Fernando and former Minister’s Private Secretary Raj Mohideen Mohammad Sakeer for allegedly causing an unlawful loss to the government by employing the employees of the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) for election work during the period 2011.

The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed this corruption case against three accused under Section 70 of the Bribery Act on four charges.

The Bribery Commission alleged that the first accused Johnston Fernando had unlawfully employed Sathosa employees for election work during the period 2011, while Minister Johnston Fernando was serving as the Cooperative and Internal Trade Minister. The Bribery Commission had filed five separate cases against the accused regarding this incident. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda) 


  Comments - 16

  • Hoodwinking Monday, 10 October 2022 12:34 PM

    All have forgotten this incident of 2011 i.e. 11 long years ago.Now it is said that the Defence is to raise Preliminary objections ! Are these Cases being filed by the BC not with the objective of a genuine prosecution ?

    N.M. Perera Monday, 10 October 2022 12:42 PM

    Must be tried and jailed. BR/NR/MR/GR must also be tried and jailed for the Economic Collapse. RW is the only hope now. Disce Aut Discede...Great Royalist.

    Vadivelu Yogaratnam Monday, 10 October 2022 12:45 PM

    Lock this thug for good of the country, another close associate of Rajapaksa's family.

    Can't avoid God's punishment Monday, 10 October 2022 01:12 PM

    Don't worry Johnston after a mini drama you will be freed from all the cases and will be over as there is no justice in this country. If there is justice you will be counting the bars in prison long ago.

    C.K.Lankaputhra Monday, 10 October 2022 01:47 PM

    My god! he has just started salvaging the country out of the economic desaster created by unknown politicians with the support of mater. පව්.

    Ram Monday, 10 October 2022 01:52 PM

    I hope the BC did their best this time not to leave any room for objections on the charges

    patta hora Monday, 10 October 2022 03:09 PM

    putta hora. No 1 theif ro ethanol and kudu

    Meera Monday, 10 October 2022 03:11 PM

    Before the Judgement comes, Jonny's body will be burnt.

    Kanooz Lebbe Monday, 10 October 2022 03:13 PM

    This fellow Johnston should be hanged in a light post midst of Kurunegala people, this is our plan.

    Martin Milton Monday, 10 October 2022 05:00 PM

    Very good! Now serve severe punitive justice for these rascals. Also all involved in every other GoSL racket -from top to bottom ranks, for bribery, swindling, Easter Sunday massacre, and allowing henchmen to swindle on their behalf etc; etc. Round them all up and serve serious Jail sentences with RI for at least 40 -50 years for each with NO parole OR Pardon possible. MM

    Joker, Joker Monday, 10 October 2022 08:28 PM

    As long is Rajapaksas and Rajapakses around and SLPP in power, no chance SLPP henchmen like him and convicted of bribe taking Rantunga will actually suffer. The judicial system is like how Ranjan Ramnayake said, prone to corruption, so can be used to free these two on appeal after conviction even. Just like Choka Malli now full fledged MP again!

    Sam Monday, 10 October 2022 08:37 PM

    Ban him from leaving the country immediately, then lift the ban a week later and let him leave. Same as normal.

    Boru Na Atha .... Atha ...... Atha .... Tuesday, 11 October 2022 08:12 AM

    It is very pity that nasty rowdies like Johnston is still existing with all the dirty deeds he committed looting the public money and establishing his illicit liquor business.

    Hell Leeza Tuesday, 11 October 2022 08:15 AM

    Jonny mama, your days are counted, get ready to enter the grave and make all the preparations accordingly. You only deserve hell with your master Mahinda.

    Janapala Handungoda Tuesday, 11 October 2022 08:16 AM

    Mina and Ponnaya will help you Johnny!! This is SL - Not India!! You will be appointed very soon by Ponnaya as a minister of Illegal Drugs.

    Ultimate refuge Tuesday, 11 October 2022 08:32 AM

    It is very noble of the courts that a sentence was passed on this liquor man. But the big puzzle is, who will implement this sentence and when? As it is, there are several MPs who are sentenced by courts but the courts does not have power to implement. In Sinhala there is apt saying, "යුද්ධට නැති කඩුව, *** කපන්න ද? This makes a mockery of our legal system, where the learned judges dare to give verdict against culprits, knowing that they may become targets of retaliation by the Master Criminal because he has blind followers. "Yes. We are the blind followers and we will continue to follow" say the people. What is the solution? Ultimate Death? Paralyze? Mentally deranged? We already have one still living example who walked into a ministry and slapped the Naval higher up! In other words, we wait for divine intervention? This is the ultimate refuge!


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment