Court commences trial against Johnston

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday, commenced trial proceedings pertaining to five corruption cases filed against former Minister Johnston Fernando for non-declaration of assets and liabilities as a Parliamentarian for a period of five years.

When the five cases came up before Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara, the prosecution commenced recording evidence from the first and second witnesses in the cases. The cases were fixed for further trial on July 21.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption alleged that the former Minister had failed to declare his assets and liabilities for a period of five years since 2010 to 2014.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed charges against the former Minister in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under Section 9 of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 1 of 1975.