The mighty have truly fallen. May 29, 2025, will be remembered as a landmark day in Sri Lanka’s political and judicial history, as the Colombo High Court following a six-year trial handed down lengthy prison sentences to former powerful Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando on corruption charges.
Aluthgamage, the former Minister of Sports and Fernando, the former Chairman of Sathosa and one-time Minister of Trade were sentenced to 20 and 25 years’ imprisonment by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had accused the duo of misappropriating Rs. 53.1 million between September 1 and December 31, 2014, during the importation of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards through Sathosa for distribution to sports clubs during the 2015 Presidential election.
The complaint against the two Ministers was originally filed by Wasantha Samarasinghe, then the Convenor of the Voice Against Corruption movement. He now serves as the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development.
Visibly distressed
The once-powerful ministers of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Government appeared visibly distressed as they arrived at court on May 29. Their earlier bravado, particularly that of Mahindananda Aluthgamage during the Presidential election campaign, when he confidently said he would walk free had clearly faded in the face of the verdict.
A now-viral video showing the duo engaged in a heated exchange outside the courthouse before proceedings began was perhaps an early indication of the dramatic turn the day would take.
Representing Aluthgamage, Shanaka Ranasinghe PC attempted to secure a lenient sentence for his client. Citing the lengthy time of the trial, Ranasinghe said it should also be taken into consideration when delivering the verdict. “My client has also stepped away from politics. He has no intention of returning to politics either. He is now 61 years old and has not committed any wrong previously,” the Counsel said. He requested the court to impose a sentence that would still allow Aluthgamage the opportunity to reintegrate into society upon its completion.
Meanwhile, Anil Silva PC representing Fernando continued to deny his client’s involvement in the fraud. “My client has not contributed to the commission of this offence,” he told the court.
Clear message
Silva maintained that Fernando had merely carried out instructions received by importing and distributing the items. However, Silva also raised a point that may give many State officials pause for reflection.
“This incident sends a clear message to State officials,” he said. “There is no protection or relief for those who act solely on the instructions of MPs or Ministers. In the end they are even left without recognition for the good they have done,” he said. Silva, echoing Ranasinghe’s plea, also requested the court to impose a lenient sentence on Fernando.
However, CIABOC Assistant Director Anuththara Jayasinghe in her closing statement highlighted the severity of the offences committed by Aluthgamage and Fernando as State officials.
“Your Honour, the accused, acting as State officials, committed these wrongs against the people of this country,” she said. “They knowingly misused public funds allocated through the National Budget. As a result, the Government incurred a loss of over Rs. 53 million, money collected through taxes from the people. That is a significant loss borne by the public,” she said.
“State officials and people’s representatives elected to Parliament are entrusted with the responsibility of developing the country. They must wield their power responsibly and not according to personal whims and fancies. Acts like these have, to a large extent, contributed to the country’s bankruptcy. As unfortunate as it is, this must be said,” she said.
Accordingly, Jayasinghe urged the court to take a firm stance against the accused. She said that the punishment should serve as a strong warning to others who might consider committing similar offences. Jayasinghe also called for a sentence that would encourage those who stand against corruption. “The public must feel that the law applies equally to everyone,” she said.
Justice Mahen Weeraman delivering the verdict appeared to agree. “The actions of senior public officials and elected representatives, like these, have contributed to leading Sri Lanka to bankruptcy,” he said before sentencing Fernando, the first accused, to 25 years in prison, and Aluthgamage, the second accused, to 20 years.
While both Aluthgamage and Fernando are set to file appeals before the Supreme Court, they will now spend their days behind the walls of the Welikada Prison. Once unthinkable for such powerful politicians, the Department of Prisons said that they have been placed in regular prisoner wards, issued standard prison uniforms, and will sleep on simple mats on the floor. Sources from the Department also said that the duo had been assigned to work in the prison’s printing section.
Power is not immunity
This landmark judgment may well be just the beginning. With numerous high-profile corruption cases still pending before the courts, more politicians could soon follow Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando into prison. The message is clear: power is not immunity. No one, regardless of their political clout or influence, is above the law.
This moment also serves as a tribute to the tireless efforts of principled public officials like the late Lalith Ambanwela of the Auditor General’s Department, who remained steadfast in their duty to uncover wrongdoing, often under intense political pressure. Their integrity and commitment to accountability laid the foundation for justice to finally be served.
In a country long plagued by impunity and political interference, this case stands as a turning point. It underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law, honouring those who pursue truth despite the risks, and reminding those in power that eventually, accountability comes for all.
