The Supreme Court will hear appeals filed against the sentences imposed on former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage by the Colombo High Court three-judge bench on 29 May, 2025.
They were found guilty of importing 14,000 carrom boards and 1,000 checkers boards, through Lanka Sathosa, and distributing them among campaign offices of the then UPFA candidate for the 2015 presidential election Mahinda Rajapaksa, thereby causing a loss exceeding Rs. 53 mn to the state.
The SC announced the date for hearing when appeals were called before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Kumudini Wickremasinghe and Justice Achala Wengappuli.
The two former Ministers, who are currently serving prison sentences, were produced before open court by prison officials.
Following the trial, the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar found both former Ministers guilty.
Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment while former Minister Nalin Fernando was sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment.