Johnston remanded
To be produced before the Kurunegala Magistrate today
Arrested for offence coming under the Public Property Act
Colombo Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Gihan Pilapitiya yesterday ordered the remand of former Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister and Parliamentarian Johnston Fernando until today.
The former minister was arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) yesterday evening when he visited the Division to make a statement over alleged offences coming under the Public Property Act. He was later produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate.
The Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge ordered that the MP be produced before the Kurunegala Magistrate today.
The FCID had filed a report over this incident before the Kurunegala Magistrate. The FCID objected to the granting of bail to the former Minister since the matter is an offence coming under the Public Property Act.
The investigators said the MP was arrested in connection with financial crime committed through handing out goods of Lak Sathosa worth of Rs 5 million and not taking measures to collect the outstanding amount thereby causing a loss to the government. The transaction has been made during the period when Lak Sathosa was under the Internal Trade Ministry and Johnston Fernando was the minister. They also said that MP Fernando will be charged for offences committed under the Public Property Act.
The goods worth of Rs 5 million has been allegedly handed out through the Lak Sathosa branches in Kurunegala, Yanthampalawa and Wehera to a person who has yet to settle the outstanding sum. Former Minister Fernando was summoned before the FCID to obtain a statement in connection with this matter yesterday morning.
Johnston Fernando went before the FCID at Carlwill Place in Kollupitiya at 10 am yesterday and was questioned until 3.30 pm. After the completion of the inquiry, MP Fernando was taken to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate at Hulftsdorp.
The FCID had conducted preliminary investigations into the matter earlier and had presented evidence before the Court for prosecuting the former Minister.
Kalinga Indatissa, PC, senior council for MP Johnston Fernando submitted to court that the said outstanding amount had already been settled by the person and this has not been recorded by Lak Sathosa. He also added that the charges are related to offenses coming under the Public Property Act However, Lak Sathosa had been established under the Companies Ordinance and therefore Sathosa does not come under the Public Property Act.
Inspector Sashi Senasinghe appeared for the prosecution.
President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa with attorneys Dinesh Dodangoda, Nalin Samarakoon, Indika Alagendra, Niroshan Sirwardana, Chinthaka Karunanayake, M.Dickman, Chandra Aberathna, Ashill Shamilka, Pradsad Sooriyaarachchi,Janaka Arunashantha and Wikum Basnayake appeared for former Minister and Parliamentarian Johnston Fernando.
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