Johnston and Son Arrested in Major Financial Crime Probe

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Minister Johnston Fernando and his son Jerome Kenneth Fernando were taken into custody today (5) by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) following a probe into alleged misuse of state property.

The arrests came after both appeared before investigators this morning to record statements.

The investigation relates to serious allegations, including misuse of state assets, submission of false information to mislead officials, obtaining an ethanol license fraudulently, tax evasion, and money laundering.

Earlier, Fernando’s other son, Johann Fernando, was arrested and remanded on similar charges.

Meanwhile, Indika Ratnamalala, a former transport manager at Sathosa, was also arrested recently and remanded for allegedly aiding and abetting these activities.

The case originates from an anonymous complaint received by the FCID in November 2015 regarding a company operating from an address on Amarasekara Mawatha, Colombo.