Sri Lanka Corruption: Ex-Ministers Jailed
- Colombo, Sri Lanka – A Sri Lankan court delivered prison sentences to two former ministers on Thursday, marking a critically important step in prosecuting corruption.
- Mahindananda Aluthgamage, previously the sports minister, received a 20-year sentence.
- The funds were used to purchase and distribute 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts sets.
Former Sri Lankan ministers are now behind bars, a major development in the fight against corruption. Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Anil Fernando received hefty sentences, 20 and 25 years respectively, for misusing millions in state funds. The court found the funds, intended for a 2015 election boost, were misappropriated. The case underscores Sri Lanka‘s commitment to accountability, targeting officials from the previous administration. These convictions signal a significant step forward, setting a precedent for future cases.The investigation, which began six years ago, saw progress under the new government. News Directory 3 is following the story closely. Learn more about the fertilizer scandal and the match-fixing allegations. Discover what’s next for these and other investigations.
Sri Lanka: ex-Ministers Jailed in Landmark Corruption Case
Updated May 29, 2025
Colombo, Sri Lanka – A Sri Lankan court delivered prison sentences to two former ministers on Thursday, marking a critically important step in prosecuting corruption. The case involved officials from the management of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Mahindananda Aluthgamage, previously the sports minister, received a 20-year sentence. Anil Fernando,who served as trade minister,was sentenced to 25 years. the Colombo High Court found them guilty of misusing 53 million rupees ($177,000) in state funds. The corruption case centered around the misuse of state funds.
The ministers also faced fines of $2,000 each. The funds were used to purchase and distribute 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts sets. These were intended to bolster the 2015 re-election campaign of Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya’s brother, but the effort failed.
Aluthgamage now holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking member of a Rajapaksa cabinet to be convicted of corruption. The investigation into the ministers began six years prior, during a period when the Rajapaksa family was out of power. Progress was slow until a new government assumed office last year.
Aluthgamage is also under scrutiny in a separate investigation. This concerns a $6.09 million payment authorized in 2022 to a Chinese supplier for fertilizer that was never delivered. He also stirred controversy in 2020 by accusing the Sri Lankan national cricket team of fixing the 2011 World Cup final in favor of India, an allegation that was investigated but never proven.
In June 2020, Aluthgamage, who was sports minister from 2010 to 2015, stated he had previously withheld information about the alleged match-fixing.He said,”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.”
Sri Lanka lost the final match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium by six wickets.Both Indian and Sri Lankan players have consistently denied any involvement in wrongdoing.
What’s next
The sentences mark a turning point in Sri Lanka’s efforts to combat corruption. Further investigations into other officials are expected as the new government continues its anti-corruption drive.