A police team is searching for 5 - Johnny Missing

Police have launched a wide investigation to arrest former Minister Johnston Fernando in connection with allegations of causing a financial loss to the government by misusing a lorry belonging to the Sathosa institution.

In connection with this incident, the former minister's son, Mr. Johan Fernando, was arrested yesterday (30) in the Kurunegala area by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division. Information has been revealed that during the time former Minister Johnston Fernando served as the Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade, this lorry belonging to the Sathosa institution was used for the activities of an ethanol company allegedly owned by him.

Acting on the instructions of the Attorney General, the police have arrested the suspects under charges of money laundering, violation of the Public Property Act, misuse of government property, and criminal misappropriation. It is also reported that this irregularity has caused a loss of two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) rupees to the government.

Although five police teams have been deployed and operations launched to arrest the former minister, the police have not yet been able to locate his current whereabouts, a senior police officer stated.

Meanwhile, the arrested Mr. Johan Fernando is scheduled to be produced before the court today (31).