Appeal Court directs HC to hear bribery cases against Johnston Fernando

The Court of Appeal five-judge bench ordered the High Court today (04) to try five cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Trade Minister Johnston Fernando and two other defendants.

The five cases are on the charge of causing a loss of nearly Rs. 60 million to the government by employing employees of the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment for non-official duties and paying salaries and overtime allowances from Co-operative Wholesale Establishment funds.

The order was issued by the Court of Appeal five-judge bench comprising judges P. Kumararatnam, Damith Thotawatta, K. M. S. Dissanayake, K. P. E. Fernando, and Annalingam Premashanker.

The Court of Appeal five-judge bench today (04) invalidated the judgment delivered by the High Court acquitting and releasing the defendants in one case.