On Thursday, November 7, the authorities found another illegally assembled vehicle in a garage allegedly belonging to a kapuwa who was previously arrested over similar charges. Investigators located the luxury car after questioning the kapuwa of the Galthenna Devalaya in Kandy. The kapuwa has been remanded.
Investigations revealed that the vehicle had the same licence plate as a vehicle in Hettipola, Kurunegala. Former Minister Johnston Fernando and the wife of another former State Minister are among the high-profile figures detained in connection with illegally assembled luxury cars, raising concerns about corruption and legal system loopholes. The cases cast a spotlight on elite circles potentially exploiting gaps in Sri Lanka’a vehicle regulations.
The Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered the detention of former Minister Johnston Fernando until October 30, following his arrest on charges related to the use of a luxury BMW allegedly assembled illegally. The car was found with questionable registration details, parked at a Colombo hotel. Fernando’s driver reportedly left the vehicle, which bore documents belonging to the former minister but lacked proof of lawful import or registration.
Interpol website Police revealed that the BMW associated with Fernando matched descriptions of a car reportedly stolen in the UK. The Interpol website lists the vehicle’s chassis and engine numbers, suggesting it may have been smuggled into Sri Lanka via illegal channels. Customs officials.
