The Attorney General (AG) informed the Court of Appeal on Monday that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had acted irregularly during its money laundering investigation into Pastor Jerome Fernando. The pastor is accused of defaming Buddhism and other religions, despite funds totaling Rs. 12.26 billion being found in the bank accounts of Jerome Fernando and his wife.
The revelation came during the hearing of a writ application filed by Pastor Jerome Fernando against the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s order for his remand pending investigations into charges of violating the conditions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act. The Court of Appeal reserved its order for December 20 on the writ application.
During the hearing before Justice D. N. Samarakoon, Senior State Counsel Shaminda Wickrema, representing the Attorney General, raised several preliminary objections. These included the timing of the writ petition, lack of notice to respondents, failure to name necessary parties, and allegations of forum shopping by the petitioner.
Senior State Counsel Wickrema emphasized that the law should apply equally to the petitioner and pleaded with the court not to allow Pastor Jerome Fernando to desecrate the "Temple of Justice."
Counsel Lakmini Warusawithana, representing the Intervenient Petitioners, supported the preliminary objections and reiterated concerns about not being named parties, lack of notice, and the petitioner's alleged suppression of material facts.
President’s Counsel Ronald Perera, representing Pastor Jerome Fernando, responded that there was no forum shopping, the petitioner's statement had not violated the ICCPR, and the petitioner had not absconded. Additionally, Perera said that the petitioner had not been charged with money laundering.
