August 27, Colombo (LNW): Former Minister A.H.M. Fowzie has been handed a two-year rigorous imprisonment sentence, suspended for 10 years, by the Colombo High Court for the misuse of a state vehicle in 2010.
The sentence was delivered after Fowzie admitted guilt in connection with the charges.
The case revolved around allegations that the former minister used a luxury vehicle, valued at Rs. 20 million, which was donated by the Netherlands to the Disaster Management Centre for his personal benefit.
Additionally, Rs. 1 million from ministry funds was reportedly spent on the vehicle’s maintenance.
The court’s ruling included not only the suspended prison term but also a fine of Rs. 400,000. The judgment underscores growing scrutiny of former officials and their use of public resources for private purposes.
Whilst the prison sentence is suspended, it serves as a warning about the consequences of such conduct, highlighting accountability in the use of state assets.
This decision could signal a stronger stance by the judiciary against misuse of public resources, with a view to promoting transparency and restoring public trust in governance.
