The case filed against former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others over the bribery case filed against them for excluding Sathosa employees from their duties and engaged in political activities was yesterday fixed for March 21, 2024 by the Colombo High Court.
When the case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige, the second accused was unable to appear before the Court due to being ill.
Considering the circumstances, the case was fixed for March 21 and summons were issued for the prosecution witnesses four and five to appear before the Court on that day.
The case was filed against former Minister Johnston Fernando when he was acting as the Trade Minister, former CWE (Lak Sathosa) Chairman Eraj Fernando and former Minister’s Private Secretary Raj Mohideen Mohammad Zakeer for allegedly causing an unlawful loss to the Government by employing the employees of the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) for election work during the period 2012.
The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed these corruption cases against three accused under Section 70 of the Bribery Act on four charges.
Dilshan Tharaka