The case against former minister and MP, Johnston Fernando and two others would be taken up today at the Kurunegala High Court. They have been indicted with misappropriating Sathosa funds to the tune of Rs. 5.2 million. The two other suspects are Fernando’s private secretary Mohommad Lahir and former Laksathosa Chairman, Nalin Fernando.
When the case was taken up yesterday, journalists were not permitted inside the court to cover the proceedings. Policemen however allowed several MPs and other ‘VIPs’ to enter the court premises. Joint Opposition MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Ranjith Zoysa, T.B. Ekanayake, Sanath Nishantha, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Saliya Dissanayake and Pavithra Wanniarachchi, who had arrived in solidarity with Fernando, were permitted to enter the court house.
The suspects have been charged with misappropriating Sathosa funds to the tune of Rs. 5.2 million. The two other suspects are Fernando’s private secretary Mohommad Lahir and former Laksathosa Chairman, Nalin Fernando.
Last week, Kurunegala High Court Judge Menaka Wijesundara ordered that Fernando and two others be remanded until the conclusion of the case. She said the case would be heard on a daily basis.
By R.M.W. Bandara