Colombo High Court Judge R.S.S. Sapuwida has postponed the next hearing in the corruption case against former Minister of Trade Johnston Fernando and two others to October 1.

The case, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), alleges that Johnston Fernando, during his tenure as Trade Minister in 2014, misused Sathosa (CWE) employees for political activities, resulting in financial losses to the state.

The accused are:

• Johnston Fernando
  
• Former Sathosa Chairman Eraj Fernando
  
• Minister’s former coordinating secretary Mohamed Saakir
  

All three were present in court today. Testimonies from prosecution witnesses were recorded during the hearing.

The judge ordered that further witness examination be postponed until October 1. The case is being prosecuted under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, which deals with acts of corruption.