Sarana Gunawardena released on bail following High Court appeal

Colombo (News 1st) - Former MP Sarana Gunawardena who was sentenced to a three-year prison term was released on a surety bail of 300,000 rupees. This morning the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court sentenced Sarana Gunawardena to three years in prison and imposed a fine of 300,000 rupees. As documentation was produced to the Colombo Magistrate's Court claiming an appeal was filed with the High Court against the punishment imposed on Sarana Gunawardena, Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ordered for the Ex-MP to be released on bail. He was earlier sentenced to serve a prison term after he was found guilty of causing losses to the state by engaging in unlawful transactions. The case was filed against Sarana Gunawardena by the Bribery Commission alleging that the government had incurred losses when he leased three vehicles at a cost of Rs. 960,000, while he was the chairman of the Development Lotteries Board from May 5, 2007 to April 30, 2008.