Former Minister Johnston Fernando Arrested in Procurement Investigation
Translated from Sinhala and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
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Official statement
Under investigation
- Sri Lanka’s Bribery Commission arrested former minister Johnston Fernando on September 4 in connection with an alleged procurement violation involving chairs for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Polgolla, Kandy.
- The commission is investigating claims that the government suffered a loss because required procurement procedures were not followed.
Former Sri Lankan minister Johnston Fernando was arrested after appearing before the Bribery Commission to give a statement in a corruption investigation involving the supply of chairs to the Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Polgolla, Kandy.
The case concerns the alleged failure to follow required procurement procedures for chairs valued at 7.4 million Sri Lankan rupees. Investigators say the breach caused a loss to the government and constituted an offense involving corruption.
The commission had previously instructed Fernando to report for questioning. After arranging a date, he appeared before the commission on September 4, where authorities arrested him in connection with the investigation.
The commission also summoned the ministry secretary who served at the time of the procurement. Officials said the secretary had informed the commission that illness made it difficult for him to attend.
About this summary
Originally published by Lankadeepa in Sinhala. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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