Former Sri Lankan Ministers jailed over misuse of public funds in pre-election giveaway scandal
May 29, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court has handed down lengthy prison sentences to two former Sri Lankan cabinet ministers implicated in a high-profile corruption case.
Nalin Fernando, who previously served as the Minister of Trade, was sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment. Alongside him, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, a fellow former minister, received a sentence of 20 years with hard labour.
The verdict followed a comprehensive trial which concluded that the two men had orchestrated a significant misuse of public funds.
The case revolved around a controversial initiative during the run-up to the 2015 presidential election. The court found that the former ministers had facilitated the procurement of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 checkers boards through SATHOSA, a state-owned retail enterprise.
These items, purchased with government money, were then distributed amongst various sports clubs and community organisations across the country.
The total financial damage to the state was calculated at 53 million Sri Lankan rupees. Prosecutors successfully argued that this move constituted a clear attempt to curry favour with voters under the guise of promoting recreational activities, thereby breaching public trust and election laws.
