The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has received information that Frederick Christopher Jerome Fernando or Pastor Jerome, who is being investigated by the CID for allegedly making insulting statements against religions including Buddhism, is currently in England.

The CID obtained a travel ban from the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court against him on May 15.

The day before obtaining the court order, Pastor Jerome left for Singapore with his wife and children.

His wife and the children have already returned to Sri Lanka.

The investigations revealed that Pastor Jerome’s religious sect is currently established in 12 countries.

The CID has also received information that despite being out of the country, Pastor Jerome is conducting services for his followers online.

Rs.12,000 million transferred from banks….

Meanwhile, Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage granted permission to the CID to probe nine accounts in both state and private banks including the personal accounts of Pastor Jerome, the accounts of his private firm, the accounts of his church, and that of his wife Melanie Dianne Vancuylenberg.

The Magistrate gave permission to the CID after considering a request made by filing a motion.

Since initial investigations showed that an amount of Rs.12,000 million has been transferred through these accounts, the court has been requested to grant permission to further probe the accounts.

The CID revealed that the investigations made based on the court order will enable them to confirm the amount transferred from these bank accounts and that it will be informed to the court on the next court date.

The court has given permission to check the accounts of three state banks, five local private banks and a branch of a foreign bank in the country.

In addition to the investigation of Pastor Jerome Fernando by the CID, the Illegal Assets Investigations Division is also conducting an investigation under money laundering charges.