Archive · 30 May 2025
Ex-Ministers Jailed for Corruption in Sri Lanka, Sentences Decades Long
Imagine two former helpers of the old leader of Sri Lanka, like ministers, were caught doing something wrong.
They used money from the country, about $177,000, to buy games like carrom boards to help the old leader get re-elected.
The court said that was not right, and they were guilty.
One of them got sent to jail for 20 years, and the other for 25 years.
Also, one of them is being looked at again for another issue involving fertilizer.
It's like they weren't using the money properly and now they have to face the consequences.
Former Sri Lankan ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Anil Fernando were sentenced to prison for corruption.
They were found guilty of misusing 53 million rupees ($177,000) of state funds.
The funds were used to purchase board games to boost Mahinda Rajapaksa's 2015 re-election bid.
Aluthgamage received a 20-year sentence, while Fernando received 25 years.
Aluthgamage faces a separate investigation regarding a fertilizer shipment that was not delivered.
- Who
- Former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Anil Fernando were sentenced.
- What
- Former ministers were sentenced for corruption, including misusing state funds.
- When
- The sentencing occurred on Thursday.
- Where
- The sentencing took place in a Sri Lankan court.
- Why
- The ministers misappropriated funds to support the re-election bid of Mahinda Rajapaksa.
- Convicted Ministers
- Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Anil Fernando
- Misappropriated Amount
- 53 million rupees ($177,000)
- Sentence - Aluthgamage
- 20 years
- Sentence - Fernando
- 25 years
- Funds Used For
- Board games for re-election bid
- Separate Investigation
- Aluthgamage faces investigation for undelivered fertilizer shipment
