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Johnston Fernando

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Johnston Fernando
MP
ජොනියා
ஜான்ஸ்டன் பெர்னாண்டோ
Minister of Highways[N 1]
In office
22 November 2019 – 18 April 2022
PresidentGotabaya Rajapaksa
Prime MinisterMahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded byKabir Hashim[N 2]
Succeeded byKanaka Herath
Chief Government Whip
In office
3 January 2020 – 18 April 2022
PresidentGotabaya Rajapaksa
Prime MinisterMahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded byGayantha Karunathilaka
Succeeded byPrasanna Ranatunga
Minister of Ports and Shipping
In office
22 November 2019 – 12 August 2020
PresidentGotabaya Rajapaksa
Prime MinisterMahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded bySagala Ratnayaka
Succeeded byRohitha Abeygunawardena
Minister of Trade, Consumer Affairs, Co-operative Development and Christian Religious Affairs
In office
9 November 2018 – 15 December 2018
PresidentMaithripala Sirisena
Prime MinisterMahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded byMalik Samarawickrama
Succeeded byMalik Samarawickrama
Project Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports
In office
2001–2004
Minister of Co-operatives & Internal Trade
In office
2010 – 12 January 2015
Member of Parliament
for Kurunegala District
Incumbent
Assumed office
2000
Personal details
Born (1964-12-05) 5 December 1964 (age 59)
NationalitySri Lankan
Political partySri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (Democratic)
Other political
affiliations		United People's Freedom Alliance
ChildrenJohan Fernando and 1
Residence(s)61 Wilgoda Road, Kurunegala
Alma materSt. Anne's College, Kurunegala
OccupationEngineer

Johnston Xavier Fernando (born 5 December 1964) is a Sri Lankan politician, former Cabinet Minister, Chief Government Whip and a current member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from the Kurunegala District.[1] He belongs to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.[2] He is considered a leader of the Rajapaksa loyalist mobs that carried out violent attacks against peaceful protestors during the 9 May 'Black Monday' incident of the 2022 Sri Lankan Protests.

Controversies

Corruption

Johnston Fernando was arrested on 5 May 2015 in relation to the non-payment for goods worth more than 5 million rupees but was released on bail amounting to Rs. 25,000 and three sureties worth Rs. 2.5 million each. He is also being investigated on financial irregularities connected to Lanka Sathosa during his tenure as the Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister.[3] The bribery commission also filed a case against him for failing to declare assets and liabilities from 2010 to 2014.[4]

In January of 2022 Johnston Fernando was acquitted from three cases filed against him by the bribery commission of Sri Lanka for allegedly employing CWE employees in electoral activities costing the state Rs. 40 million. The acquittal was attributed to a technical error in the indictment. [5] However, on May 30th, 2022 the bribery commission filed fresh indictments on these same charges. [6]


Violence and abuse of power

Johnston Fernando has a history of threatening, advocating for and engaging in violence, and his conduct and behavior has been deplored by many including fellow legislators. On 18th Nov 2018 Johnston Fernando took to violence in parliament where he and a few other legislators attacked, and assaulted police officers and parliamentary staff called in to protect the speaker of the parliament. [7]

Threatening others including an MP

When the United National party MP Mujibur Rahuman mentioned Wasim Thajudeen a group of UPFA members including Fernando surrounded the MP obstructing his speech. It was claimed that the group made death threats to the MP.[8] He was also alleged to have threatened anyone who touches Mayor of Kurunegala, Thushara Sanjeewa, about the wrecking down of archaeological grounds in Kurunegala.[9]


2022 attack on peaceful protestors

Johnston Fernando encouraged violence against critics and peaceful protestors during the 2022 Sri Lankan Protests claiming "The problem is that the government is too lenient. If we kill one crow (anti-government protestors) and hang up their wings this will all end," . On 9 May Johnston and Mahinda Rajapaksa armed and incited loyalists to launch a violent against peaceful protestors that had occupied Temple Trees and Galle Face. Before the attack Fernando gave a speech claiming “There is something called Mynagogama in front of Temple Trees. Today, we will end that. Get ready. We will start the war!”. [10] The attack was condemned as an act of state terrorism and incited mass retaliation against the Rajapaksa. The protestors organized a counter-attack that resulted in Johnston's vehicle being thrown into the Beira Lake alongside many of his supporters that carried out the attack. His office in Kurunegala and his residence in Mount Lavinia were also attacked and torched as part of the mass retaliation that followed.[11][12][13]

Sri Lanka’s Attorney General on 16th of May directed the Police to arrest Johnston Fernando and 21 others and to produce them in court 22 for the attacks on the peaceful protestors on 9th of May 2022. [14] However, due to his political power, the police have failed to arrest him more than two weeks since the directive. [15]

Portfolio

  • 1991 – Councilor in Kurunegala Municipal Council (6936 Votes - 1st Place)
  • 1993 – Minister of Health Ministry and Member of Wayamba Provincial Council
  • 1994 – Candidate for the Parliament Election (40794 Votes)
  • 1999 – Member of Wayamba Provincial Council (50489 Votes - 2nd Place)
  • 2000 – Member of Parliament (94385 Votes - 2nd Place in Kurunegala District)
  • 2001 – Minister of Spots and Youth Affairs Ministry (114845 Votes - 2nd Place in Kurunegala District)
  • 2004 – Member of Parliament (112601 Votes - 2nd Place in Kurunegala District)
  • 2009 – Minister of lands, land development and Armed Forces welfare
  • 2022 – Minister of Highways and Chief Government Whip

See also

Notes

  1. ^ As Minister of Roads and Highways from 22 November 2019 to 12 August 2020
  2. ^ As Minister of Highways, Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development

References

  1. ^ "Hon. Johnston Fernando, M.P." Directory of Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Johnston Fernando". Manthri.lk. 19 April 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  3. ^ "UPDATE: Johnston Fernando released on bail - Newsfirst". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst | News1st | newsfirst.lk | Breaking. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  4. ^ "Sri Lanka : Bribery Commission files case against former minister Johnston Fernando". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  5. ^ "Bribery commission withdraws corruption cases against Johnston Fernando-The Island". www.island.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  6. ^ "Bribery commission files fresh indictment against Johnston-DailyMirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  7. ^ "Sri Lanka's MPs brawl in Parliament-BangkokPost". www.Bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  8. ^ "economynext.com". www.economynext.com. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  9. ^ "Johnny vows to protect Kurunegala Mayor against criticism". www.lankanewsweb.net. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  10. ^ "Angry Sri Lankan protestors demand arrest of ex-minister Johnston Fernando". EconomyNext. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  11. ^ "Sirisena condemns Govt. encouraging mob attack on peaceful protesters | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Minister Johnston's back up vehicle dumped into the Beira Lake (Video)". Hiru News. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Sri Lanka : SLPP supporters who attacked the peaceful protesters are under attack now, Police leave cancelled". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Attorney general directs police to arrest 22 people linked to MaynaGoGama GotaGoGama attacks-News1st". www.newsfirst.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  15. ^ "Elusive Johnston an indictment of the police -The Morning". www.TheMorning.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-07.


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