Johnston Fernando

Johnston Fernando MP
ජොන්ස්ටන් ප්‍රනාන්දු ஜான்ஸ்டன் பெர்னாண்டோ
Minister of Highways
In office 22 November 2019 – 18 April 2022
President	Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Prime Minister	Mahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded by	Kabir Hashim
Succeeded by	Kanaka Herath
Chief Government Whip
In office 3 January 2020 – 18 April 2022
President	Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Prime Minister	Mahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded by	Gayantha Karunathilaka
Succeeded by	Prasanna Ranatunga
Minister of Ports and Shipping
In office 22 November 2019 – 12 August 2020
President	Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Prime Minister	Mahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded by	Sagala Ratnayaka
Succeeded by	Rohitha Abeygunawardena
Minister of Trade, Consumer Affairs, Co-operative Development and Christian Religious Affairs
In office 9 November 2018 – 15 December 2018
President	Maithripala Sirisena
Prime Minister	Mahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded by	Malik Samarawickrama
Succeeded by	Malik Samarawickrama
Minister of Co-operatives & Internal Trade
In office 2010 – 12 January 2015
Project Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports
In office 2001–2004
Member of Parliament for Kurunegala
In office 2000 – 24 September 2024
Personal details
Born	(1964-12-05) 5 December 1964
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Political party	SLPP (Democratic)
Other political affiliations	UPFA
Children	3
Residence	61 Wilgoda Road, Kurunegala
Alma mater	St. Anne's College, Kurunegala
Occupation	Politician

Johnston Xavier Fernando (born 5 December 1964) is a Sri Lankan politician, former Cabinet Minister, Chief Government Whip and a former member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from the Kurunegala District. He belongs to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. He is considered a leader of the Rajapaksa loyalist mobs that carried out violent attacks against peaceful protestors during the 9 May 'Black Monday' incident of the 2022 Sri Lankan Protests. He lost his parliamentary seat in 2024.

Controversies

Corruption

Johnston Fernando was arrested on 5 May 2015 in relation to the non-payment for goods worth more than 5 million rupees but was released on bail amounting to Rs. 25,000 and three sureties worth Rs. 2.5 million each. He is also being investigated on financial irregularities connected to Lanka Sathosa during his tenure as the Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister. The bribery commission also filed a case against him for failing to declare assets and liabilities from 2010 to 2014.

In January 2022 Johnston Fernando was acquitted from three cases filed against him by the bribery commission of Sri Lanka for allegedly employing CWE employees in electoral activities costing the state Rs. 40 million. The acquittal was attributed to a technical error in the indictment. However, on May 30, 2022, the bribery commission filed fresh indictments on these same charges.

Violence and abuse of power

Johnston Fernando has a history of threatening, advocating for and engaging in violence, and his conduct and behavior has been deplored by many including fellow legislators. On 18th Nov 2018 Johnston Fernando took to violence in parliament where he and a few other legislators attacked, and assaulted police officers and parliamentary staff called in to protect the speaker of the parliament.

Threatening others including an MP

When the United National party MP Mujibur Rahuman mentioned Wasim Thajudeen a group of UPFA members including Fernando surrounded the MP obstructing his speech. It was claimed that the group made death threats to the MP. He was also alleged to have threatened anyone who touches Mayor of Kurunegala, Thushara Sanjeewa, about the wrecking down of archaeological grounds in Kurunegala.

2022 attack on peaceful protestors

Johnston Fernando encouraged violence against critics and peaceful protestors during the 2022 Sri Lankan Protests claiming "The problem is that the government is too lenient. If we kill one crow (anti-government protestors) and hang up their wings this will all end". On 9 May Johnston and Mahinda Rajapaksa armed and incited loyalists to launch a violent against peaceful protestors that had occupied Temple Trees and Galle Face. Before the attack Fernando gave a speech claiming “There is something called Mynagogama in front of Temple Trees. Today, we will end that. Get ready. We will start the war!”. The attack was condemned as an act of state terrorism and incited mass retaliation against the Rajapaksa. The protestors organized a counter-attack that resulted in Johnston's vehicle being thrown into the Beira Lake alongside many of his supporters that carried out the attack. His office in Kurunegala and his residence in Mount Lavinia were also attacked and torched as part of the mass retaliation that followed.

Sri Lanka’s Attorney General on 16 May directed the Police to arrest Johnston Fernando and 21 others and to produce them in court 22 for the attacks on the peaceful protestors on 9 May 2022. However, due to his political power, the police have failed to arrest him more than two weeks since the directive.

In October 2024, Fernando was arrested and remanded over the alleged use of an illegally assembled luxury car. The car was previously seized by law enforcement authorities while parked at a prominent hotel in Colombo.

Portfolio

• 1991 – Councilor in Kurunegala Municipal Council (6936 Votes − 1st Place)
• 1993 – Minister of Health Ministry and Member of Wayamba Provincial Council
• 1994 – Candidate for the Parliament Election (40794 Votes)
• 1999 – Member of Wayamba Provincial Council (50489 Votes − 2nd Place)
• 2000 – Member of Parliament (94385 Votes − 2nd Place in Kurunegala District)
• 2001 – Minister of Spots and Youth Affairs Ministry (114845 Votes − 2nd Place in Kurunegala District)
• 2004 – Member of Parliament (112601 Votes − 2nd Place in Kurunegala District)
• 2009 – Minister of lands, land development and Armed Forces welfare
• 2022 – Minister of Highways and Chief Government Whip

See also

• Cabinet of Sri Lanka

References

• "JOHNSTON FERNANDO". Directory of Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 2010-10-13.