Former Minister Johnston Fernando arrested over alleged corrupt deal to procure stadium chairs

Former Minister Johnston Fernando was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over a corrupt stadium chair deal.

The transaction caused a financial loss of Rs. 7,973,114.50 to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau while improperly benefiting a company by the name of Design Point (Pvt) Ltd.

CIABOC stated that the owner of Design Point (Pvt) Ltd. Patabendigige Hemantha Lalith de Silva was also arrested on allegations of aiding and abetting the offense.

Background

Fernando arrived at the Bribery Commission this morning to provide a statement before being taken into custody.

The commission alleges that Fernando acquired chairs for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Polgolla from Design Point (Pvt) Ltd. despite another institution offering a lower price while meeting the required standards.

Both suspects were arrested shortly after arriving at CIABOC to record statements and are expected to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.