Former Minister Johnston Fernando was yesterday granted bail by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court after being in remand custody for four months over the alleged misuse of a Lanka Sathosa lorry.
When the case was taken up, the Magistrate ordered that Fernando be released on four sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.
The court further directed that the case be recalled on July 10.
Fernando, along with his elder son Johan Fernando, younger son Jerome Fernando, and a former transport manager of Lanka Sathosa, had been arrested and remanded following an investigation by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).
The prosecution has alleged that the lorry in question was used for activities connected to an ethanol company, reportedly owned by Fernando, causing an estimated loss of Rs. 2.5 million to the State.