A three-judge bench of the High Court has scheduled the defense evidence hearing in the case involving former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and a former Sathosa warehouse manager for December 2. This follows the prosecution’s failure to establish the charges against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The bench, comprising High Court Judges Pradeep Hettiarachi (Chairman), Pradeep Abeyratne, and Mahesh Weeraman, dismissed a request from the defense lawyers to acquit the defendants without calling for defense evidence under Section 200 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The case involves allegations that between September 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014, carrom boards and checkers intended for Sathosa were distributed to sports associations for political purposes during the presidential election, resulting in a financial loss of over Rs. 53 million to the government. The defendants face six charges in connection with this incident.
The Bribery Commission filed the case against Mahindananda Aluthgamage, along with the former Sathosa Chairman and current Trade Minister Nalin Fernando, following approval from the Chief Justice to present the matter before the Permanent Three-member High Court.
