Johnston Fernando acquitted in 3 bribery cases

Minister Johnston Fernando was acquitted yesterday of three cases filed against him for allegedly employing Sathosa employees in politics.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika C. Ragala ordered the release of three suspects, including Minister Johnston Fernando, in three separate cases.

When the case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate, the Bribery Commission officials informed the court that it was not possible to proceed with the case as per the ‘Anoma Polwatta’ judgment issued by the Supreme Court.

Accordingly, the officials of the Bribery Commission requested the court to release the three suspects subject to the right to re-prosecute with orders of the three Commissioners of the Bribery Commission.

Accepting the request, Chief Magistrate Buddhika C. Ragala ordered the release of Minister Johnston Fernando and the other two accused.

The Bribery Commission had filed a case against Minister Johnston Fernando and three others in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court during the previous Yahapalana Government alleging that during his tenure as the Minister of Trade from 2010-2014, he removed 153 CWE employees from their official duties and engaged them in political activities, causing a loss of Rs. 40 million to the Government.