High Court postpones order on preliminary objections in carrom boards case

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, Feb. 5 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala today decided to postpone the delivery of its order on the preliminary objections raised in the case filed by the Attorney General against former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando and former Secretary to the Ministry of Sports, retired Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi, to March 25.

Although the order was scheduled to be delivered today, the High Court Judge said that the relevant order was not ready and that it would be delivered on March 25.

The charges are relate to the alleged misuse of approximately Rs. 3.9 million in public funds between September 1 and December 31, 2014, in the purchase of 14,000 carrom boards and 14,000 draughts boards for distribution among sports clubs.

They are accused of committing offences under the Public Property Act by allegedly importing carrom boards and draughts sets through the Sathosa and distributing them among sports clubs with the intention of gaining political advantage during the 2014 Presidential election period.