SLPP says case against Fernando politically motivated

The cased filled against Joint Opposition MP Johnston Fernando by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) was politically motivated to imprison Opposition parliamentarians, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Chairman Prof. G.L Peiris said yesterday.  Speaking to reporters during a press conference at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official residence at Wijerama Mawatha, he said that the decision of the court vindicated Fernando.  

“The Kurunegala High Court clearly declared that Johnston Fernando had not committed any offence which clearly showed he is innocent.”

He questioned the credibility of the FCID and other legal authorities while claiming MP Fernando was subjected to mental anguish, mistreatment and deprived of physical freedom during his detention.  He stressed that the court had announced the ruling without calling upon the defence and no evidence was presented from the defence which led the judge to his conclusion. 

“The prosecution has failed to present any case which merits the consideration of the court,” he added. Prof. Peiris alleged that a witness in the case was asked to provide false evidence by the FCID and the FCID attempted to influence the witness to give false testimony in court and present documents which were falsified. He also said the course of justice was interfered with by actions taken by the FCID. “These are all offences under the penal code. So there is liability in this country, malicious prosecution for perjury and for perverting the courts of justice. These are criminal offenses,” he added.

Meanwhile, MP Fernando alleged that he was harassed by prison officials during his imprisonment, adding that two individuals, former Sathosa Chairman K.M.R Fernando and the minister’s former Coordinating Secretary Raj Mohideen Shakeer Mohammed, were stripped naked during a search in front of other prison inmates.

He also alleged that the officials who conducted the search operations were handpicked by Justice Minister Thalatha Atukorale.(NS)  

Pic Indrarathna Balasuriya