Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Trade Minister Nalin Fernando have been sentenced to 20 and 25 years of rigorous imprisonment respectively, over the misappropriation of Rs. 53 million in public funds during the 2015 presidential election period.
The Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar today (May 29) found both former ministers guilty of misusing state resources by purchasing 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards through Sathosa and distributing them to sports clubs for political gain.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption revealed in court that the accused abused their official powers, resulting in a major financial loss to the state, ultimately affecting the public.
The prosecution requested a strong verdict to deter future corruption and to set an example. After reviewing the evidence, the verdict was delivered by a three-judge bench led by Mahen Weeraman.
