The Colombo High Court has sentenced former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando to 25 years, after they were found guilty of causing financial losses to the government.
The case involved the unauthorized importation of Carrom boards and checkers (Daam) boards worth Rs. 53 million, which were distributed to sports clubs ahead of the 2015 Presidential Election.
The charges were filed by the Bribery Commission at the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar in 2019, accusing both individuals of misusing public funds for political purposes.
The court ruled that the two officials acted in violation of financial regulations, causing significant losses to the state and undermining public trust.
This marks one of the most high-profile corruption convictions in recent years involving a former Cabinet Minister.
