UPFA MP Johnston Fernando and two others were released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya over five cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

They were released on a cash bail of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of Rs 5 million each for each of the cases.

The case was fixed to be heard on October 27.

In May this year, the Bribery Commission filed court cases against former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others for using employees of the CWE for political activities during the years 2010 to 2014.

The other two who have been charged are Eraj Priyantha Fernando and Mohammed Fakir.

It is alleged that a loss of Rs 40.1 million was caused by Fernando and others to the government.

Meanwhile, Bribery Commission has also filed five separate cases against Fernando for the alleged failure to declare his assets and liabilities during the period from 2010 to 2014.