The case filed by the Bribery Commission against former Trade Minister Johnston Fernando and three others was taken up again today (22) before Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal.
During the proceedings, evidence for the prosecution was recorded. The defense counsel requested that the case be transferred to another court, citing that four separate cases had been filed against the defendants under similar charges for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014, which they claimed could hinder a fair trial.
However, Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera argued that the existence of multiple cases did not affect the fairness of the ongoing trial.
After considering both parties, the judge rejected the defense’s request and ordered that the trial continue. The hearing was then adjourned until December 17.
The Bribery Commission has charged former Minister Johnston Fernando, former Sathosa Chairman Eraj Fernando, and Mohamed Zakir, one of his coordinating secretaries, alleging that during Fernando’s tenure as Trade Minister, several Sri Lanka Trade Union (SLTU) employees were removed from their official duties and deployed for political activities, causing a loss to the government.
