BY Ruwani Fonseka
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has not stopped or halted the investigation on Jerome Fernando and the investigation will continue, says Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles.
He made this statement while speaking to The Morning today (13), when inquired about social media posts claiming that Jerome Fernando is free from all allegations.
"I don't know about social media, but I can assure you that the investigation is still ongoing. The investigation is still in the initial stages and there is still more to go. So because of that, the CID will not stop what they have begun and will continue the investigation. The case is still open and active. The travel ban imposed on Fernando is still in place," said Minister Alles.
Meanwhile, The Morning spoke to Inspector Harishchandra from the CID Illegal Assets Investigation Department, who said that social media posts in circulation have been misinterpreted.
"It has been circulated on social media that the CID has cleared Jerome Fernando from all allegations against him in court. What happened was, in court, when inquired whether there have been previous allegations against Fernando, the CID responded by saying that there hasn't been any past allegations or convictions. So this is true, there have not been any past allegations. But, for the allegations levelled against Fernando now, the investigation is being conducted. The investigation will continue,' said Inspector Harishchandra.
Fernando, who is currently in the United Kingdom, fled the island hours prior to the travel ban that was imposed on him. The travel ban was imposed on Jerome Fernando for his controversial statements made about Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism in front of a packed congregation.
Fernando first fled to Singapore, and then moved to the UK thereafter. His wife, Melanie Fernando and two children, joined Jerome Fernando in the UK thereafter.
It had also been reported that Jerome Fernando receives millions of dollars in donations, and the CID is investigating into Fernando's tax returns.