MP Johnston Fernando was acquitted of all counts filed against him for his failure to disclose his assets and liabilities for 2010, by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayarathne yesterday.
The Magistrate observed that the Bribery Commission had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt, in a lengthy trial. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption alleged that the former minister had failed to declare his assets and liabilities for five years since 2010. On a previous occasion giving evidence before court, the President’s Senior Assistant Secretary, Chandima Wickramasinghe stated that documents were not available at the Presidential Secretariat to prove the declaration of any assets and liabilities of the former Minister, according to his knowledge.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed charges against Fernando in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under Section 9 of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 1 of 1975.
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