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First Post
7 hours ago
- Politics
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7 things about Sri Lanka's carrom board case for which ex-minister faces jail
On May 29, 2025, the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar sentenced Aluthgamage and former Trade Minister Anil (Nalin) Fernando to 20 and 25 years in prison, respectively, for the misappropriation of state funds read more Sri Lanka's former sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage (C) and former trade minister Anil Fernando (center R) are escorted by police outside a court in Colombo. AFP In a major anti-corruption ruling, former Sri Lankan Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment over his involvement in the 'carrom board case' on 29 May, 2025. He has since filed an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the conviction. Here are the key facts surrounding the case: 1. Landmark conviction in a high-profile corruption case On May 29, 2025, the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar sentenced Aluthgamage and former Trade Minister Anil (Nalin) Fernando to 20 and 25 years in prison, respectively, for the misappropriation of state funds. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 2. Misuse of Rs. 53 million in state funds The case, brought by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), included a fraudulent procurement agreement involving boards imported between September 1 and December 31, 2014. The entire financial damage to the state is estimated at Rs. 53.1 million. 3. Carrom and draught boards used for political campaigning The funds were spent on importing 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts sets, which were distributed to sports clubs. Prosecutors argued this was done to boost the 2015 re-election bid of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa — a clear case of public resources being used for political gain. 4. Violation of procurement procedures The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), which oversaw the case, said that the purchases were politically motivated and carried out in blatant violation of procurement standards. 5. Charges under the Bribery Act The Bribery Commission filed six counts against the duo under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, which deals with the misappropriation of public assets for unofficial purposes. 6. Appeal filed in Supreme Court Aluthgamage's legal team filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, challenging the 20-year sentence handed down by the High Court. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 7. First major conviction from the Rajapaksa-era cabinet Aluthgamage is the most senior member of a Rajapaksa-led cabinet to be successfully prosecuted for corruption. The case, originally filed six years ago, had made slow progress until a new government accelerated proceedings last year. This case represents a significant milestone in Sri Lanka's anti-corruption efforts. With Aluthgamage appealing the verdict, the final outcome now rests with the country's highest court.
NDTV
21-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Ex-Sri Lanka Cricketer Ramith Rambukwella Arrested In Corruption Case
Ramith Rambukwella, a former Sri Lankan international cricketer, was arrested by an anti-graft commission on Wednesday in connection with a corruption case linked to his politician father. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) summoned Rambukwella to appear before it on Wednesday morning. He was arrested after recording a statement with the bribery commission. He was later remanded till June 3 by Colombo Chief Magistrate's court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali on Tuesday granted permission to name Rambukwella as a suspect in the corruption case linked to his father Keheliya Rambukwella, a former powerful minister in the administration of the Rajapaksas. Keheliya, previously arrested by the bribery commission, is also in remand custody until June 3. He is facing a string of corruption charges and was arrested under his own government in 2024 for misusing the Indian credit line to purchase substandard medicine as the health minister. Ramith played two T20 internationals in 2013 and 2018 against New Zealand and England after a successful schools cricket career. In a separate case, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who is also the son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been indicted over the alleged misappropriation of LKR 70 million from India-based Krish Hotels for the development of rugby in Sri Lanka. He will face a pre-trial hearing on June 27. Namal was a national rugby player. A host of former parliamentarians are spending time in remand custody for various cases of corruption. The current National People's Power (NPP) government, in the run-up to general elections last year, had pledged to clean public life by holding politicians accountable.
News18
21-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Former Sri Lankan Cricketer Ramith Rambukwella Arrested On Charges Of Corruption
Last Updated: Ramith played two T20 internationals in 2013 and 2018 against New Zealand and England after a successful schools cricket career. Ramith Rambukwella, a former Sri Lankan international cricketer, was arrested by an anti-graft commission here on Wednesday in connection with a corruption case linked to his politician father. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) summoned Rambukwella to appear before it on Wednesday morning. He was arrested after recording a statement with the bribery commission. He was later remanded till June 3 by Colombo Chief Magistrate's court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali on Tuesday granted permission to name Rambukwella as a suspect in the corruption case linked to his father Keheliya Rambukwella, a former powerful minister in the administration of the Rajapaksas. Keheliya, previously arrested by the bribery commission, is also in remand custody until June 3. He is facing a string of corruption charges and was arrested under his own government in 2024 for misusing the Indian credit line to purchase substandard medicine as the health minister. advetisement Ramith played two T20 internationals in 2013 and 2018 against New Zealand and England after a successful schools cricket career. In a separate case, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who is also the son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been indicted over the alleged misappropriation of LKR 70 million from India-based Krish Hotels for the development of rugby in Sri Lanka. He will face a pre-trial hearing on June 27. Namal was a national rugby player. A host of former parliamentarians are spending time in remand custody for various cases of corruption. The current National People's Power (NPP) government, in the run-up to general elections last year, had pledged to clean public life by holding politicians accountable. (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) Watch CNN-News18 here. Stay updated with all the latest news on IPL 2025, including the schedule, Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, and IPL Purple Cap. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
