Former Minister Johnston Fernando and his son, Jerome Kenneth Fernando, were arrested today (5) by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of state property.
The arrests followed their appearance before FCID officials earlier today to provide statements as part of the inquiry.
Investigators are probing multiple allegations, including the misuse of state assets, providing false information to mislead authorities, fraudulently obtaining an ethanol license, tax evasion, and money laundering.
Previously, another son of Johnston Fernando, Johann Fernando, was arrested and remanded on related charges.
In a related development, Indika Ratnamalala, the former Transport Manager of Sathosa, was also recently arrested and remanded for allegedly aiding and abetting the alleged offenses.
The investigation stems from an anonymous complaint received by the FCID in November 2015, concerning a company operating from premises on Amarasekara Mawatha in Colombo.
