Sri Lanka Jails Former Ministers in Landmark Corruption Crackdown



In a significant anti-corruption ruling, two former Sri Lankan cabinet ministers were sentenced to lengthy prison terms by the Colombo High Court for misappropriating state funds linked to the 2015 presidential election.


Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who served as Sports Minister from 2010 to 2015, was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, while Nalin Fernando, former Trade Minister from 2022 to 2024, received a 25-year sentence. Both were found guilty of causing a loss of 53 million Sri Lankan rupees (approximately $177,000) to the government by purchasing and distributing thousands of carrom and draughts boards through a state agency. The court ruled these purchases were intended to influence voters and support the re-election bid of Mahinda Rajapaksa, the elder brother of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.


The case, brought forward by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), marks one of the most high-profile convictions of political figures in recent years. The trial exposed how public funds were diverted for personal and political gain, undermining democratic processes.


Aluthgamage, a veteran politician with a three-decade career, announced his retirement from active politics following the verdict. He is the most senior member of the Rajapaksa-led government to be successfully prosecuted for corruption.


Separately, former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was arrested earlier this month on charges of corruption involving the unlawful receipt of salaries for staff he never employed, allegedly diverting over 8 million rupees for political purposes.


These developments come amid a broader crackdown on corruption by Sri Lanka’s current National People's Power government, which has pledged to revive stalled cases and hold former officials accountable. The crackdown has also targeted other former ministers and officials accused of bribery and financial fraud.


The convictions and arrests signal a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s efforts to combat entrenched corruption and restore public trust in governance.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LTTE’s Use of Child Soldiers: A Grave Violation of Human Rights

Image
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stand condemned not only for their violent insurgency but also for their ruthless exploitation of children as soldiers during Sri Lanka’s civil war.  While the conflict officially ended in 2009, the scars left by the LTTE’s forced recruitment of thousands of children remain a painful reminder of their terror tactics. During the war, the LTTE systematically abducted and conscripted children-some as young as 11 or 12-forcing them into brutal military training and deploying them on front lines.  Human Rights Watch reported that children were often taken from their homes at night or seized while going to school, with families threatened or beaten if they resisted.  Once recruited, these children faced harsh discipline, exposure to violence, and were denied contact with their families. UNICEF documented thousands of such cases, with estimates suggesting the actual numbers were even higher due to underreporting. The LTTE’s use of chil...
Read more

Former UK Cabin Crew Member Arrested in Sri Lanka with £1.15 Million Cannabis Haul

Image
Sri Lankan authorities have detained Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo on charges of attempting to smuggle 46 kilograms of cannabis into the country. The drugs, valued at approximately £1.15 million, were found packed in vacuum-sealed bags inside two large suitcases after Lee arrived on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand. Officials from the Customs Narcotics Control Unit described the seizure as the largest amount of Kush cannabis ever discovered at the airport. Kush is a potent strain often mixed with synthetic substances and is believed to be destined for high-end buyers within Sri Lanka. Lee, who previously worked for TUI Group and has recently been training as a beautician, remains in custody while investigations continue. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing consular support to Lee and is in contact with her family and Sri Lankan authorities. Friends of Le...
Read more

From Buenos Aires to the Vatican: Pope Francis

Image
Author, Miyuru Rasoj Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, became the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church in March 2013. As the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to assume the papacy, he has brought a distinctive voice to the global stage—one rooted in humility, mercy, and a deep concern for the poor and marginalized. Early Life and Path to Priesthood Francis was born to Italian immigrant parents in a working-class neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Growing up, he developed a strong faith and a deep compassion for those in need. In 1958, at the age of 21, he entered the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits. The Jesuits, known for their educational, missionary, and charitable work, left a lasting impact on him. Their emphasis on service, social justice, and intellectual pursuit shaped his worldview. After being ordained a priest in 1969, he went on to hold several leadership roles in the Jesuit community ...
Read more