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Money laundering inquiry against Jerome Fernando
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‘Pastor’ Jerome Fernando was remanded until December 13. Pic by Priyanka Samaraweera
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has opened a separate inquiry under money laundering charges against controversial ‘pastor’ Jerome Fernando on his financial transactions and the flow of funds to his church from abroad.
A Police spokesperson said investigations are focused on the source of origin for funds that were channelled into the country to maintain a massive church complex known as ‘Miracle Dome’ in Katunayake. The church has not been registered with the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs as a place of worship.
“Further investigations are underway. We are looking into his financial dealings and transactions with the church,” a CID source familiar with the investigations told the Sunday Times.
The self-styled pastor was arrested on Friday soon after he recorded a statement with CID following his return from abroad. Later, he was remanded till December 13 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate Courts. He was charged under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) over a statement criticising Lord Buddha during one of his sermons.
Mr Fernando came under the CID’s radar in May this year following his controversial statement which went viral on social media platforms. At least five complaints were lodged with the CID by various parties urging them to look into the financial dealings of the pastor and the church he leads.
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