By: Isuru Parakrama
November 01, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court has granted bail to former Minister Johnston Fernando, ordering his release in connection with charges of utilising employees from the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) for election-related activities.
This decision follows an arrest warrant issued on October 24 when Fernando failed to attend a scheduled hearing.
The case, initiated by the Bribery Commission, names Fernando alongside former CWE Chairman Eraj Fernando and the former minister’s Private Secretary, Raj Mohideen Mohammad Sakeer, as defendants.
The allegations centre on claims that Fernando misappropriated public resources by deploying 153 CWE employees for election tasks between 2010 and 2014, which allegedly led to an estimated financial loss of nearly Rs. 40 million to the government.
This case highlights ongoing scrutiny over the misuse of government resources in political campaigns, with the court’s bail decision allowing Fernando temporary relief as the legal proceedings continue.
