Colombo Chief Magistrate Rejects Objections Raised in Johnston’s Bribery Case
When Johnston Fernando held the Internal Trade and Cooperative minister portfolio, 153 Sathosa employees were used for political work for five years from 2010 to 2014 thus causing a loss of Rs. 40 million. The Bribery Commission filed a case with regard to corruption charges levelled at former minister Fernando, former Sathosa Chairman Eraj Fernando and former Operational Director Mohamed Mohideen Shakir.
The Court issued charge sheets to suspects. The commission has requested permission from the court to present the two charge sheets separately and the court granted permission.
Lawyers appearing on behalf of Johnston and three others made initial objections.
The Colombo Chief Magistrate, Ranasinghe Bandara, today rejected initial objections and postponed the case for hearing on 14th March 2018
