Court accepts that FCID has made false allegations -- Johnston acquittted and released

Court accepts that FCID has made false allegations -- Johnston acquittted and released

The court has today (17) issued orders that former minister, member of parliament Johnston Fernando and two others be exonerated of guilt and acquiited.

This case filed against former Minister of Trade, Chairman of Sathosa and Private Secretary of the Minister  was heard on a daily basis beginning from 3rd September when the Minister was already in remand prison. Evidence brought forward in that instance was in favour of Minister Johnston

Fernando and this is what Mrs. Roshani Cook who was sales assistant said in this connection: "Mr. Bandara and three officers of Financial Crimes Investigation Department came and forced me to changes in memos. Loan memos were detached from our shop and asked me to write a list in their possession. Since my home was adjoining the Sathosa, I was told that I would have problems if I do not consent.

It was regarding this incident regarding 'potatoes'. I can remember about it. I was asked to write 'ala' instead of 'arthapal'. so I wrote like that. They gave me instructions all the time poking fun at me and joking. Those memos were there in the branch for one and a half years before the investigations ... I did not want to make those changes. I made those changes because I was forced to do so. The book from which those memos were detached has been brought by me". Memos that were changed had been handed over by her as production, to court.

This case was filed by Financial Crimes Investigation Department for the allegation of having misappropriated goods secured from Sathosa, Yanthampalawa worth Rs. thirty eight lakhs. All three including MP Mr. Johnston Fernando were thus released. Attorney-at-Law, President's Counsel Mr. Kalinga Indratissa and attorneys messrs. Lakmal Ratnayaka, Indika Giragama, Dale Gunawardena, Neranjan Iriyagolla and Chalaka Widanage appeared on behalf of defence.