Mahindananda Gets 10 Years, Nalin Fernando 25 in Corruption Verdict

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today sentenced Ex-Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, and former Trade Minister Nalin Fernando to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment, over their involvement in a major corruption case linked to the importation of sports equipment.

The verdict was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Justice Pradeep Hettiarachchi , Justice Pradeep Abeyratne, and Justice Mahesh Weeraman.

The court ruled that the charges brought against the accused had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, accused the two former ministers of misappropriating Rs. 53.1 million between September 1 and December 31, 2014, during the importation of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards for distribution to sports clubs.

The indictment included six counts under  Section 70 of the Bribery Act.