The Colombo High Court has recalled the arrest warrant issued against former Minister Johnston Fernando after he appeared before court today (Nov. 01).
On October 23, the Colombo High Court issued a warrant for Fernando’s arrest for failing to appear before court in connection with a corruption case filed by the Bribery Commission.
The case alleged that former minister Fernando, former CWE (Lak Sathosa) Chairman Eraj Fernando and former Minister’s Private Secretary Raj Mohideen Mohammad Sakeer for allegedly causing an unlawful loss to the government by engaging the employees of the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) in election work.
However, the defense counsel informed the court that their client was unable to attend the previous hearing as he was providing a statement to the CID in compliance with an undertaking given to the Court of Appeal.
Considering this, High Court Judge Manjula Tilakaratne ordered Johnston Fernando to be released on a cash bail of Rs.25,000 and a surety of Rs. one million.
