The Police stated that the investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding pastor Jerome Fernando, who allegedly made a statement insulting Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, covers all suspicious areas including money laundering activities.
Fernando has caused controversy by making a statement allegedly insulting Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, and their founders. While several complaints have been lodged with the CID against him, Fernando, who is currently overseas, issued an apology to the public on 21 May.
As there are also allegations that he has been involved in money laundering related activities with the support of various prominent figures, The Daily Morning queried Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police and attorney Nihal Thalduwa as to whether the CID is investigating such matters, to which he said that the relevant investigation covers all suspicious areas, including money laundering activities. "When an investigation is initiated, the CID looks into all areas where suspicions arise. Basically, there is nothing that they don't look into."
Video footage related to a sermon delivered by Fernando in front of his congregation, which had been widely circulated on social media platforms last month (May), stirred controversy, due to allegations that it included derogatory statements related to Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam. Considering the allegations that have been levelled against Fernando by several parties, President Ranil Wickremesinghe had ordered the CID to launch an immediate investigation, after which the CID had obtained an arrest warrant and a foreign travel ban on him on 17 May.
The Daily Morning queried Thalduwa on an earlier occasion as to whether the Police would take steps to extradite Fernando as he is currently overseas, to which he said that such action would be taken as per the progress of the relevant investigations. "The investigations regarding this matter are still at the initial stage. Therefore, the Police will have to act upon the relevant court orders. If an order is issued by a court, the Police will issue a red notice to bring him through the International Criminal Police Organisation."