Luxury BMW possession case, Colombo Fort

See on the map

Details

Court: Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court
Allegation: Possession of a BMW; the CID says the car was found abandoned at a Colombo hotel and that Customs confirmed a vehicle with its chassis number was not legally imported. Johnston Fernando says the three charges against him are under the Motor Traffic Act and do not include importing, owning or failing to pay duty on the vehicle
Status: Johnston Fernando arrested by the CID on 23 October 2024 and remanded until 30 October that year, according to Hiru News; on 28 October 2026 his lawyers told the court he pleads guilty, and the court’s decision is due on 11 November 2026; the same day he said reports that he admitted import tax fraud were false and that the charges are three Motor Traffic Act offences
Appears on: Politicians and investigators
Last checked: 29 Oct 2026 (what this means)

Coming court dates

11 Nov 2026: Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court due to deliver its decision

Connections (1)

Johnston Fernando / Told the court he pleads guilty, October 2026, in / Luxury BMW possession case, Colombo Fort
- Appeared before the CID to give a statement about an unregistered BMW parked at a Colombo hotel, was arrested and brought before the Fort Magistrate, who remanded him until 30 October 2024.23 Oct 2024 · Hiru News · Former Minister Johnston Fernando remanded until October 30
- Through his lawyers he told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on 28 October 2026 that he pleads guilty to charges relating to possessing a luxury BMW imported without paying the required taxes. The article’s headline calls it a tax fraud case. The CID says the vehicle was found at a Colombo hotel, that Customs confirmed a vehicle with its chassis number was not legally imported, that the Government Analyst’s Department found it was illegally assembled, and that its identifiers were linked to a car reported stolen in the UK in 2021. The article gives the arrest as 23 October without a year.28 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Johnston Fernando pleads guilty in luxury BMW tax fraud case
- Says he intends to plead guilty to charges relating to possession of a luxury vehicle imported without the applicable taxes, and to tax evasion, and that the court is scheduled to deliver its decision on 11 November 2026.28 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Johnston Fernando pleads guilty in luxury vehicle case; Verdict due on Nov. 11
- In a statement on 28 October 2026 he denied reports that he pleaded guilty to vehicle import tax fraud. He said only three charges had been filed against him, under the Motor Traffic Act, that he was not charged with importing or owning the vehicle or failing to pay import duty, that he is not its owner, and that a separate case against the person who had possession of it is before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court. He urged media to correct their reports.28 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Johnston clarifies charges, denies involvement in vehicle import tax fraud
- Gives the same statement: three Motor Traffic Act charges, no charge of importing, owning or evading duty, and a separate Gampaha case against the person who had the vehicle. The article does not say which outlets he meant.28 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Johnston Fernando says media reports on luxury vehicle case are misleading