Categories: Politics

Johnny, two others acquitted in CWE case

Kurunegala district MP Johnston Fernando and two others were acquitted and released by Kurunegala High Court judge Menaka Wijesundara citing contradictory evidence yesterday.

They were accused of misappropriating Rs 5.2 million in Co-opearative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) funds in the run up to the North Western Provincial Council election in 2013.

The Attorney General had alleged that Johnston Fernando as the then minister in charge of the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) had ordered that goods worth over Rs. 5.2 million be released from three CWE warehouses in Yanthampalawa, Wehera and Mallawapitiya in the Kurunegala district during the North Western Provincial Council Election in September 2013.

The other accused were Former Lak Sathosa Chairman K.M.R.Fernando and the former minister’s co-ordinating secretary Raj Mohideen Shakeer Mohamed.

A large number of SLPP supporters gathered in court including Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksha when the judgement was delivered.

State Counsel, Deputy Senior Solicitor General Rakshana Abeysuriya prosecuted while Presidents’ Counsel Kalinga Indatissa and a groups of lawyers appeared for the defence.

Lankanewspapers

Recent Posts

LNP – 4 dead, another 4 injured in Kurunegala fuel station fire

Four individuals, including the manager of the facility, were burnt to death, while four others…

2 hours ago

LNP – No benefit for Tamil Nadu from Modi’s Sri Lanka visit: CM Stalin

The recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka did not benefit…

17 hours ago

LNP – Leading liquor store owner booked for promoting booze sales through Facebook

A leading liquor store chain owner cum hotelier had been booked by the Department of…

21 hours ago

LNP – Saudi Arabia bans visas for 14 countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended issuance of visas to citizens from 14 countries, including India,…

21 hours ago

LNP – Heavy rainfall likely in several provinces

The Meteorology Department says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the…

1 day ago

LNP – More than 50 countries have contacted White House to start trade talks, Trump adviser says

More than 50 countries have reached out to the White House to begin trade talks,…

1 day ago