Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s legal team has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court against the 20-year prison sentence handed down by the Colombo High Court in May.
Aluthgamage was convicted over the unauthorized purchase and distribution of 14,000 Carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards during the 2015 presidential election, which allegedly caused a financial loss of over Rs. 53 million to the state.
The appeal, submitted through Attorney-at-Law Sanath Wijewardena, claims that the three-judge High Court bench misinterpreted key facts and failed to properly consider the defense’s submissions during the trial.
The petition argues that the sentence is unlawful and urges the Supreme Court to nullify the judgment and acquit Aluthgamage of all charges.
The Bribery Commission originally filed the case in 2019, accusing Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando of abusing public office and misusing public funds for election-related purposes.
In its submission before the verdict, the prosecution emphasized the intentional misuse of authority and the significant financial damage to taxpayers, urging the court to impose a strict sentence to deter corruption.
On May 29, the Colombo High Court sentenced Aluthgamage to 20 years and Fernando to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment for their roles in the procurement scandal.
