COLOMBO (News1st); Former Minister Johnston Fernando informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court that he is pleading guilty to charges relating to the possession of a luxury vehicle allegedly imported into the country without the payment of taxes, as well as tax evasion offences.The former minister conveyed his position before court through his lawyers.After considering the submissions made before court, Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered that the case be called on November 11 for sentencing.The case had been filed against the former minister over the alleged unlawful possession of a BMW luxury vehicle that was discovered parked at the car park of a star-class hotel in Colombo. Investigators had alleged that the vehicle was unregistered and was fitted with forged number plates, while taxes due on the vehicle had not been paid.The prosecution had filed charges under the Motor Traffic Act relating to the failure to register the vehicle, the use of fraudulent registration number plates and the evasion of taxes.
