Another indictment served on Mahindananda and Nalin

Tuesday, 22 July 2025 03:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage (left) and Nalin Fernando - Pic by Jayamal Chandrasiri

Former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, along with former Sports Ministry Secretary Major General (Retd.) Nanda Mallawarachchi, all currently serving prison sentences, were indicted yesterday before the Colombo High Court for allegedly committing an offence under the Public Property Act.

The charges relate to committing an offence under the Public Property Act by importing Carrom boards and draughts boards through the Lanka Sathosa Company during the 2015 Presidential Election and distributing them to sports clubs with the aim of gaining political advantage.

Following the indictment, Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered the release of the three defendants on bail. However, due to their existing prison sentences, the Judge directed that Aluthgamage and Fernando be produced before the Court on the next scheduled hearing date.

On 29 May, the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar sentenced Mahindananda Aluthgamage to 20 years and Nalin Fernando to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment over the importation of sports equipment during the 2015 Presidential Election period.

The case, filed by the Bribery Commission, accused the duo of having misappropriated Rs. 53.1 million between 1 September and 31 December 2014 during the importation of 14,000 Carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards for distribution to sports clubs.

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