Johnston’s case: Court summons former President’s Secretary

The Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday issued summons on former Secretary to the President P.B. Abeykoon to appear in Court on April 6 as a witness regarding three corruption cases filed against former Minister Johnston Fernando.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption alleged that the former Minister had failed to declare his assets and liabilities for three years since 2010 to 2012.

The defence had raised objections urging to release their client from the cases citing that the investigative officer who carried out investigations into the incident had failed to initiate a comprehensive investigation.

Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara maintained that the order regarding an objection raised by defence to be delivered after recording evidence from several witnesses including former Secretary to the President. The cases were fixed for for trial on April 6.

The Commission had filed charges against the former Minister in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under Section 9 of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 1 of 1975 for not declaring assets and liabilities at the Presidential Secretariat.

Assistant Legal Director of the Bribery Commission Ganga Heiyanthuduwa appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

Defence counsel Niroshan Siriwardena with Indika Giragama appeared for the accused.