Johnston Fernando released from two bribery cases

Colombo (News 1st); Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala on Friday (26) ordered the release of Minister Johnston Fernando, Ex-Sathosa Chairman Eraj Fernando, and Former Director of Operations at Sathosa Mohamed Shakeer from two separate bribery cases filed against them.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed the case against the trio for using 153 Sathosa workers for political activity and causing losses to the state. The Colombo High Court last year ordered the Colombo Chief Magistrate to release Johnston Fernando, Eraj Fernando, and Mohamed Shakeer from the case. The Colombo High Court issued the order after considering the revisional application filed by the trio. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed 05 separate cases against the trio at the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court for removing 153 Sathosa workers from their official duties and using them for political activity from 2010 to 2014. They were accused of causing Rs. 40 million in losses to the state by doing so.