Former Ministers Sentenced to 20 & 25 Years for Corruption Scandal

In a landmark ruling, a three-judge panel at the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar handed down harsh sentences to two former ministers yesterday.

Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined Rs. 200,000, while former Trade Minister and Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando received 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs. 400,000 fine.

The charges stemmed from a scheme between September and December 2014, where Lanka Sathosa imported carrom and checker boards which were then distributed to sports clubs during the presidential election period for political advantage. The court found the ministers guilty of causing a Rs. 53 million financial loss to the government.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) brought six charges under the Bribery Act No. 20 of 1994. Judges Mahen Weeraman, Pradeep Hettiarachchi, and Amali Ranawera delivered the verdict.