The Colombo High Court on Thursday (29) sentenced former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to 20 years and former Sathosa Chairman and former Trade Minister Nalin Fernando to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The court found both men guilty of causing significant losses to the state through the irregular purchase of thousands of Carrom and checkers boards in the lead-up to the 2015 Presidential Election.
The two were convicted of abusing their official powers by authorizing the procurement of 14,000 Carrom boards and 11,000 checkers boards through Sathosa, the state-owned retail giant, for distribution to sports clubs.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), which led the prosecution, argued that the purchases were politically motivated and conducted in clear violation of procurement procedures.
Presenting final submissions before the verdict was delivered, the Commission’s counsel stated that the defendants had engaged in deliberate misuse of public authority, resulting in a financial loss exceeding Rs. 53 million in taxpayer funds.
The case was initially filed by CIABOC in 2019 before the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, a special tribunal reserved for high-profile cases involving financial crimes and abuse of public office.
The verdict is being viewed as a significant development in Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption efforts, as it marks one of the most severe sentences handed down to high-ranking political figures in recent years.
pix by - wasitha patabedige
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