July 21, Colombo (LNW): Three former senior officials, including ex-Cabinet Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, were formally indicted at the Colombo High Court today in connection with alleged misuse of public assets during the 2015 presidential election period.
The charges, filed under the Public Property Act, relate to the procurement and distribution of large quantities of carrom and draughts boards through the state-run retail chain Lanka Sathosa.
Also named in the indictment are Nalin Fernando, the former Chairman of Lanka Sathosa, and retired Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi, who served as Secretary to the Ministry of Sports at the time of the events in question.
The allegations centre on the use of government resources to secure political advantage by distributing sports equipment to local clubs in the run-up to the national poll.
Presiding over the hearing, High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered that all three accused be granted bail. However, due to existing custodial sentences from a related corruption case, Aluthgamage and Fernando remain in prison and will be formally produced in court at the next hearing.
The backdrop to today’s proceedings includes a high-profile ruling delivered by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar on May 29, in which both Aluthgamage and Fernando were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms—20 and 25 years of rigorous imprisonment respectively.
That case, prosecuted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, found the pair guilty of misappropriating over Rs. 53 million between September and December 2014.
The funds were allegedly used to import approximately 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards, which were then handed out to various sports organisations and clubs across the country.
Prosecutors contend the distribution was politically motivated, timed to coincide with the final months of the presidential campaign, and aimed at bolstering support for the ruling party at the time.
