A Sri Lankan court docket sentenced on Thursday (May 29, 2025) two former Ministers from the federal government of deposed president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to many years in jail in a landmark corruption case.
Ex-Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Trade Minister Anil Fernando have been discovered responsible by the Colombo High Court of misappropriating 53 million rupees ($177,000) of state funds.
The pair have been additionally fined $2,000 for utilizing authorities cash to donate board video games — together with 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts units — in an try to enhance the failed 2015 re-election bid of Gotabaya’s elder brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years in jail. Fernando was sentenced to 25 years.
Aluthgamage is now essentially the most senior member of a Rajapaksa-led cupboard to be efficiently prosecuted for corruption.
The instances towards each males have been initiated six years in the past, when the Rajapaksa brothers have been out of energy, however the case had been making gradual headway till a brand new authorities took workplace final 12 months.
Aluthgamage additionally faces a separate investigation into allegations that he authorised in 2022 a fee of $6.09 million to a Chinese provider for a fertilizer cargo that was by no means delivered.
He brought about a stir in 2020 when he accused Sri (*25*) nationwide cricket workforce of rigging the 2011 World Cup remaining in favour of India, triggering an investigation that in the end failed to substantiate his claims.
Aluthgamage, who served as sports activities minister from 2010 to 2015, stated in June 2020 that he had “not wanted to disclose” the alleged match-fixing plot on the time.
“In 2011, we were supposed to win, but we sold the match. I feel I can talk about it now. I am not implicating players, but certain sections were involved,” he stated.
Sri Lanka misplaced the ultimate at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium by six wickets. Both Indian and Sri Lankan gamers have strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Published – May 30, 2025 03:10 am IST