Sri Lanka, Sept. 5 -- Former Cooperative and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando and Hemantha Lalith de Silva, owner of Design Point (Pvt.) Ltd. who were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (4), have been granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama has ordered the release of the two suspects on two surety bonds of Rs.2.5 million each and also ordered that the suspects be banned from travelling abroad.

The Magistrate then ordered that the case be called for hearing on November 17, 2026. The CIABOC has arrested Johnston Fernando on charges of corruption and Hemantha Lalith de Silva on charges of aiding and abetting, aft...