![Gossip Lanka News [English]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYm2aFFq-bIW1nWX-RrqnPFoIsVos6_VCVz8BpLt0QJi55GNXHXC2fugeRvL0qUStEuCfs7Sfu6ZiSlhrkldxfGuE_wzy5gitY6rMZ2KSi8VBbGvkgXLks37RwZV-4-HKbWiNLRxB8C_r1e4z3mpxFTMPDJPEADoG8E-bZteWFipeD5KNGbjvCfqEfKw=s300 "Gossip Lanka News [English]")
Former Minister Johnston Fernando, who appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (04) to give a statement, has been arrested. He appeared before the Bribery Commission following a summons from investigation officers.
The former minister has been accused of causing a loss to the government by violating the due procurement process when purchasing chairs worth Rs. 7.4 million for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Auditorium in Polgolla, Kandy. Investigations are currently underway regarding the acquisition of these chairs through another person, disregarding official tenders called by the Ministry, during his tenure as the Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade in 2012.
In connection with this incident, statements have also been previously recorded by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption from the person who served as the Ministry Secretary at that time.