Johnston Fernando arrested by Bribery Commission

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and the owner of Design Point (Pvt) Ltd, Hemantha Lalith de Silva, were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (September 4).

The arrests are linked to an alleged corruption case involving the purchase of chairs for the Polgolla Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.

Fernando, a former Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested by CIABOC investigating officers at 9:25 AM, while de Silva was arrested at 9:30 AM.

They were arrested over allegations of committing the offence of “corruption” and “aiding and abetting” the offence in connection with the purchase of chairs for the theatre.

According to the allegations, arrangements had been made to purchase the chairs from Design Point (Pvt) Ltd instead of purchasing them from the company that had submitted the lowest quotation while meeting the required standards.

The alleged action is said to have caused a loss of Rs. 7,973,114.50 to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau, while providing an undue benefit to an external party.

The arrested suspects are due to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

— Last Updated: September 4, 2026, at 12:45 PM —