Negombo High Court Judge Kavindya Nanayakkara today ordered the release on bail of the two sons of former Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando and two other suspects who were arrested for allegedly misusing government funds and property by using Sathosa lorries and drivers to transport ethanol in his private business.
The High Court Judge rejected the bail application made on behalf of former Minister Johnson Fernando.
The Wattala Magistrate had earlier rejected the bail applications of the suspects Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, former Minister Johnston Fernando, former Sathosa Executive Director Mohamed Zakir and former Sathosa Operations and Transport Manager Indika Ratnamalala. Accordingly, the suspects filed a bail application before the Negombo High Court.
The bail order was issued following the request made by President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, who appeared on behalf of the former minister’s two sons, to grant bail on the special circumstances.
Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered that the suspects Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando be released on a cash bail of Rs. 2.5 million and a surety bond of Rs. 5 million and that the suspects be prohibited from traveling abroad. The Negombo High Court also ordered the release of the other two suspects on a cash bail of Rs. 2.5 million and a surety bond of Rs. 5 million. The judge further ordered that the suspects be banned from traveling abroad and their passports be placed in the custody of the court.