The Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar has rejected bail applications submitted by former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, who were sentenced to prison in connection with the Carrom Board case.

The bail requests were filed on the grounds that both individuals had appealed their convictions, but the court ruled that the reasons presented were not sufficiently exceptional to warrant release pending appeal.

The decision was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Priyantha Liyanage, Viraj Weerasuriya, and P.M.T. Bandara yesterday (07).

In its ruling, the bench emphasized that when a convicted individual seeks bail during the appeal process, the court must be presented with compelling and exceptional circumstances. Since the applicants failed to meet this threshold, their bail requests were denied.

The case stems from allegations that, during the 2015 presidential election, 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards were imported through Lanka Sathosa and distributed to political offices of then-presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa, causing an estimated loss of Rs. 53 million to the state.

Following a lengthy trial, the court found both individuals guilty. Mahindananda Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment, while Nalin Fernando received 25 years’ rigorous imprisonment.

Both parties have filed appeals with the Supreme Court and have requested bail pending a final decision, a request now formally denied. (Newswire)

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The Supreme Court has scheduled the appeals filed by former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, both convicted and sentenced in connection with a corruption case, to be taken up on January 20.

These appeals were called today (28) before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena.

During the proceedings, the bench ordered that the appeals be listed for hearing on January 20.

At the time of the hearing, both former ministers, currently in remand custody after being sentenced by the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar, were produced before the court by prison officials.

In May this year, 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 01 September and 31 December 2014 during the importation of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards for distribution to sports clubs. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar today ordered that the petitions requesting bail for imprisoned former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando be taken up for further clarification on September 23.

Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who are currently serving heavy prison sentences after being convicted in the Carrom Board case, have filed petitions requesting bail pending the outcome of their appeals. 

The bail applications were heard today before the three-member bench comprising Justices Mahesh Weeraman, Pradeep Abeyratne, and Amali Ranawera.

During the hearing, the legal representative of the Bribery Commission informed the court that they had not yet received the relevant documents about the petitions.

After reviewing the submissions, the bench instructed the Bribery Commission to issue the necessary documents and scheduled the petitions to be heard again on September 23.

The petitions were submitted by Aluthgamage and Fernando on the grounds that they have appealed their convictions to the Supreme Court, and are seeking release on bail until a final verdict is delivered.

In May this year, 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 01 September and 31 December 2014 during the importation of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards for distribution to sports clubs. (Newswire)

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Former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, and former Secretary to the Ministry of Sports, retired Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi, were served indictments before the Colombo High Court today (21) for allegedly committing an offence under the Public Property Act.

The charges relate to the importation and distribution of carrom boards and draughts boards through Lanka Sathosa during the 2015 presidential election period, allegedly for political gain by distributing them to sports clubs.

Following the indictment, High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered that all three accused be released on bail.

However, since Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando are already serving prison sentences in other cases, the judge directed that they be presented to court on the next 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 01 September and 31 December 2014 during the importation of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards for distribution to sports clubs. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has filed an appeal before the Supreme Court against the sentence of 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar.

The appeal was filed by Aluthgamage’s lawyers today over his sentencing over allegations of having caused a loss of Rs. 53 million to the State by importing carrom boards in 2014.

On 29 May, the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar sentenced former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to 20 years and former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment. 

The duo were sentenced over a corruption case linked to the importation of sports equipment during the 2015 Presidential Election period. 

The case filed by the Bribery Commission accused the two former ministers of having misappropriated Rs. 53.1 million between 01 September and 31 December 2014 during the importation of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards for distribution to sports clubs. (Newswire)

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Former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando have been sentenced to 20 years and 25 years of rigorous imprisonment, respectively, by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar.

The duo have been sentenced over a corruption case linked to the importation of sports equipment during the 2015 Presidential Election period, during their tenures as the Ministers of Sports and Trade. 

The court ruled that the charges brought against the suspects have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The case filed by the Bribery Commission accused the two former ministers of having misappropriated Rs. 53.1 million between 01 September and 31 December 2014 during the importation of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards for distribution to sports clubs. (Newswire)

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