Ex-minister Johnston, two others, served indictments in corruption case

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

The Colombo High Court yesterday served indictments on three defendants including former Minister Johnston Fernando in a corruption case filed by the Bribery Commission.

The three defendants are charged with causing a loss of more than Rs. 5.9 million to the state by engaging a group of Sathosa employees in political work while Johnston Fernando was the Trade Minister from 2010 to 2014.

The indictments filed by the Bribery Commission were handed over to ex-minister and SLPP MP Fernando, ex-chairman of Sathosa Eraj Fernando and ex-director Mohammad Zakeer, who were named as defendants when the case was called before Colombo High Court Judge Namal Balalle yesterday.

The lawyers representing the defendant Johnston Fernando informed the court that they expected to submit preliminary objections regarding the indictments.

Subsequently, the High Court judge Namal Balalle adjourned the hearing till 01 Nov., and ordered each accused to be released on bail.

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