3 sources·Updated Jan 30, 2026

Johnston Fernando and Sons Remanded Again

Former Minister Johnston Fernando, his two sons, and two additional suspects have been remanded again until the 13th, following their appearance before Wattala Magistrate Kanchana Naranjala de Silva.The case originates from a complaint received by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) in 2015. According to investigations, the suspects had obtained a liquor license under the name of a company said to be operating from an address belonging to former MP Vijayakala Maheshwaran, claiming the license was for the manufacture of fragrance-based products and cleaning agents.However, the inquiry revealed that the suspects had used the license to purchase 100,000 litres of ethanol, which had then been diverted for other, unauthorized purposes.Further allegations were filed under the misuse of state property, after it was uncovered that a Sathosa lorry had been used on three separate occasions to transport 40,000 litres of ethanol to another location.