Mahindananda sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, May 29 (Daily Mirror) - A three-judge bench of the High Court today sentenced former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.

He was sentenced after finding him guilty of causing a financial loss to the government exceeding Rs. 53 million.

Between September and December 2014, carrom and checker boards imported by the Sathosa institution in Colombo were allegedly distributed to sports clubs for political purposes during the previous presidential election period.

Before the verdict was delivered, the counsel representing the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed the court that the accused had abused the powers of their official positions and committed wrongful acts. As a result of these offenses, the government had incurred a loss of over Rs 53 million in public funds, thereby causing significant harm to the general public.

CIABOC therefore requested the court to deliver a judgment that would serve as a deterrent to others who might intend to commit similar offenses, while also encouraging those who stand against corruption.