UPDATE: Mahindananda Gets 20 Years, Nalin Fernando 25 in Corruption Verdict

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar today sentenced two former Sri Lankan ministers to lengthy prison terms with hard labor over a high-profile corruption case involving the importation of sports equipment.

Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, while former Trade Minister Nalin Fernando received a 25-year sentence.

The verdict was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Mahesh Weeraman, Pradeep Abeyratne, and Amali Ranawera.

The case, prosecuted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), centered on a fraudulent procurement deal involving 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 checkerboards imported between September 1 and December 31, 2014.

The total financial loss to the state was estimated at Rs. 53.1 million.

The court found that the charges against the accused were proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The indictment included six serious charges under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, filed by the Director General of CIABOC.