29 January 2022 12:00 am Views - 155
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika C. Ragala yesterday ordered to release Minister Johnston Fernando and two others from three corruption cases following the Bribery Commission’s decision to withdraw the charges.
The Bribery Commission had filed corruption cases against Minister Johnston Fernando, former Lak Sathosa Chairman Eraj Fernando and Minister’s former Private Secretary Raj Mohideen Mohammad Sakeer for allegedly causing a Rs.40 million unlawful loss to the government by employing 153 employees of the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) for election work during the period 2010 to 2014.
The Bribery Commission informed court it has decided to withdraw the cases filed against three accused in accordance with the Anoma Polwatte case decided by Supreme Court.
However, the Bribery Commission announced that it is withdrawing the case after reserving rights to file fresh charges with the written sanction of the Commissioners of the Bribery Commission.
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 three charges.
The Bribery Commission alleged that the first accused Johnston Fernando had unlawfully employed 153 employees for election work during the period 2010 to 2014, while Minister Johnston Fernando was serving as the Cooperative and Internal Trade Minister.