The Wattala Magistrate’s Court has ordered that former Minister Johnston Fernando, his two sons, and three other suspects arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division related to investigations into the misuse of a Sathosa lorry, be remanded until January 23.
It is reported that lawyers appearing for Johnston Fernando requested that he be released on bail, but the Magistrate rejected the request and ordered the suspects to be remanded.
The Magistrate also rejected a request made by the suspects’ side to be discharged from the charges.
It is alleged that during his tenure as Minister of Cooperative and Internal Trade, Johnston Fernando used a Sathosa lorry for the operations of an ethanol company said to belong to him, causing a loss of Rs. 2.5 million to the government.
Based on this allegation, the Attorney General instructed the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division to arrest the former minister and his son, Johan Fernando.
Accordingly, on December 30, Johan Fernando was arrested in Kurunegala, along with former Sathosa Transport Manager Indika Ratnamalala, who was taken into custody over allegations of preparing forged documents related to the incident.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, they were remanded until January 9. (Newswire)
