Former Member of Parliament Johnston Fernando has been remanded until October 30 after being accused of illegally using a luxury BMW that was reported stolen in England. Investigators informed the court that the vehicle, stolen in 2021, was identified through an international data system by matching its serial number.
Further investigations revealed that the car had been used with a stolen number plate in Sri Lanka and was not legally imported into the country, according to customs data. The incident has raised concerns over international vehicle smuggling and illegal imports, with the stolen car’s origins in England attracting significant attention.
In court, Fernando’s lawyer argued that while the car was indeed stolen, there was insufficient evidence to implicate his client in the original theft or to charge him under the Money Laundering Act. The defense claimed that Fernando’s use of the vehicle did not necessarily connect him to the illegal acquisition.
The case has sparked alarm, with authorities emphasizing the need for thorough investigations into how the stolen luxury vehicle ended up in Sri Lanka. The situation has also raised questions about broader issues of illegal vehicle imports and smuggling operations, prompting international interest in the matter.
