Former ministers Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Johnston Fernando have been summoned by the Illegal Assets Investigation Division as part of an ongoing inquiry into alleged unexplained wealth, NewsFirst reported.
Wanniarachchi appeared before investigators and recorded a statement, while Fernando requested that his appearance be rescheduled to a later date. Both are among several former government figures called up under the division’s expanded probe into assets accumulated during their time in public office.
The summonses extend a widening accountability drive against figures from previous administrations. Johnston Fernando, a former minister and ex-chief government whip, is already facing a separate case in which he was released on bail over the alleged misuse of a Sathosa lorry to transport ethanol, and was earlier the subject of a witness warrant.
The asset inquiries run parallel to the work of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), which has set a 30 June deadline for public officials to file asset declarations and is pursuing a series of high-profile cases against former office holders.
