Mahindananda and Nalin Fernando Jailed

Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando have sentenced to 20 and  25 years respectively  after they were found guilty in a case of fraud.

A High Court  Trial-at-bar found them guilty of causing  losses to the government by importing Carrom boards and checkers boards for distribution to sports clubs during the 2015 Presidential Election.

The Bribery Commission told courts that  both, Mr Aluthgamage and Mr Fernando misused their  official powers by approving the purchase of 14,000 Carrom boards and 11,000 checkers boards through Sathosa, thereby leading to significant financial damage to public funds.

The Commission claimed that a loss of  Rs 53 million had been caused to the state, and urged that the court to issue a judgment that serves as a deterrent against future corruption.

Accordingly, the High Court Trial-at-Bar passed a sentence of Rigorous Imprisonment of 20 years to Mr Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Mr Fernando who was also served as the Trade Minister later