Apologises over statements
CID to probe money laundering charges
Pastor Jerome Fernando who was remanded over making controversial statement during a Sunday sermon was ordered to be enlarged on strict bail condition by Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday.
President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appearing for Pastor Fernando apologized for the controversial statement made by his client and argued that he cannot be charged under ICCRP Act. A team of lawyers led by Anuja Premaratne,PC made extensive submissions and prayed for his release under any bail condition The Magistrate ordered the release of the suspect, strictly warning him not to make any statement that would disturb religious harmony in the future and ordered him to be released on bail with two sureties of Rs.1 million each. The Magistrate also ordered that one of the sureties should be a close relative of the suspect. President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne cited that if his client is granted bail, arrangements would be made to withdraw bail application filed in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
The Magistrate, who watched the one-hour video presented to the court by the CID in open court, informed it does not seem to fall under the Clauses of the ICCPR Act. The CID informed court that charges would be filed against the suspect under the Money Laundering Act.The Investigators said that they are investigating into 10 accounts of the suspect and requested the court to issue orders to the relevant private banks in this connection.
The Criminal Investigation Department informed court that statements have been recorded from the Colombo Archbishop’s office regarding this incident and it is stated that statements were made that were not related to the Catholic religion.
The Criminal Investigation Department, which said that a large amount of money has been transferred to a number of accounts in this incident, also said that it will carry out a comprehensive investigation regarding the transfer of money to the accounts.
The Criminal Investigation Department informed the court that 639 bank accounts will be investigated in connection with this incident and the Magistrate took steps to issue the orders related to the investigation.
Police informed the court that a case has already been filed in Mt.Lavinia Court in relation to money laundering. Accordingly, the Criminal Investigation Department was ordered to file a report in the court in the coming days.
The suspect was arrested following an extensive investigation based on a complaint made by Buddhist Information Centre Director General Ven.Angulugalle Sri Jinananda Thera. The CID informed court that extensive investigations are being conducted into the suspect.
Journalists obstructed
After pastor Jerome Fernando, who was remanded over making statement that would lead to the religious harmony was released on bail, a large group of people who claimed to be his followers, obstructed journalists who covered the Court case yesterday.
A group claiming to be his followers gathered at the court premises after the court ordered him to be released on bail.
Pastor Fernando was brought to the Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon in a prison vehicle when this group entered the court premises and obstructed journalists from covering the case. They had threatened them not to take photos and not to record his leaving Court in a car after he was granted bail.
Subashini Senanayake