While investigations have revealed that Pastor Jerome Fernando has received substantial amounts of money from various individuals, the Police stated that it should, however, be confirmed that the receipt of such sums could be charged under money laundering in order for him to be extradited.
Fernando has come under fire for allegedly insulting Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam and their founders. While several complaints were lodged with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) against him, Fernando left the country and issued an apology to the public on 21 May.
Against this backdrop, preliminary investigations conducted by the CID have revealed that funds amounting to billions, including in foreign currencies, have circulated via Fernando’s local bank accounts on a regular basis.
The Daily Morning queried a senior police official as to whether the CID would take steps to extradite Fernando as money laundering-related allegations have been levelled against him, to which he responded: “Money laundering is a serious offence, but the related allegations against Fernando should be established for the CID to go ahead. If the allegations are established before the courts, the necessary action to extradite him will be taken.”
Although money laundering is a serious offence, he said that the receipt of a particular sum of money as a donation cannot be charged under it. “For instance, it is said that he (Fernando) has had around 18,000 followers. Let’s say that each of them has donated Rs. 100,000. Altogether, he receives a huge amount of money. However, that is not something that can be charged under money laundering as they are regarded as donations.”
It was recently reported by the media that the CID had interrogated some of Fernando’s followers and that they had informed the CID that they had given him money as donations. Some of the funds had reportedly been handed over in cash, while some others had made donations via online means. The media also reported that certain Government officials, who follow Fernando, had sold vehicle permits they were granted by the Government, to provide funds for the construction of the “Miracle Dome”, the facility Fernando uses to conduct his religious services.
Video footage related to a sermon delivered by Fernando in front of his congregation, which was widely circulated on social media platforms in early May, stirred controversy, due to allegations that it included derogatory statements related to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Considering the allegations levelled against him by several parties, President and Defence Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had ordered the CID to launch an immediate investigation, after which the CID obtained an arrest warrant and a foreign travel ban on him on 17 May. Fernando had however left the country by that time.