Johnston and Son Remanded In Financial Crimes Probe

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Minister Johnston Fernando and his son, Jerome Kenneth Fernando, were ordered to be remanded until January 9 after being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court today (5).

The decision follows their arrest earlier this morning by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

Police confirmed that the arrests were made after both individuals appeared before the FCID to provide statements regarding an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of state property.

The inquiry also involves accusations of deliberately submitting false information to mislead officials, obtaining ethanol licenses unlawfully, evading government taxes, and engaging in money laundering.

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

Meanwhile, Johnston Fernando’s other son, Johann Fernando, was previously arrested and remanded in connection with the same case.

Additionally, Indika Ratnamalala, a former transport manager at Sathosa, was taken into custody last night on charges of aiding and abetting these alleged offenses.