Pastor Jerome Fernando, who fled the country before being arrested for allegedly making insulting remarks about the Buddha, and his family members have no previous convictions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said.

Accordingly, the Illegal Assets Investigation Division has reported to the court that legal action cannot be taken against him or his family members under money laundering charges.

These investigations have been launched based on a complaint made by an organization by the name ‘Citizens’ Power Against Bribery and Corruption’ against Frederic Christopher Fernando aka Reverend Jerome Fernando, who is a resident of Menerigama, Mt.Lavinia.The investigators have looked into whether there have been any allegations related to illegal drugs, fraud, murders, robberies and other illegal activities. It has been revealed that no charges have been brought against him by any unit.

Statements have also been recorded from about 40 people over the acquisition of land and money for the construction of the ‘Miracle Dome’ religious center operated by Reverend Fernando on the Veyangoda Road, Katunayake.The statements have confirmed that this land has been donated by businessman Gretion Gunawardena and wife through a deed of gift. The Miracle Dome building has been built on this four-acre land.