Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the 20-year prison sentence handed down to him in a case related to the alleged illegal procurement and distribution of carrom and dam boards during the 2015 presidential election.
The case, filed by the Bribery Commission, alleged that Aluthgamage unlawfully purchased 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 dam boards and distributed them among various sports associations, resulting in a financial loss exceeding Rs. 53 million to the government.
The appeal was filed through Attorney-at-Law Sanath Wijewardene and has been forwarded to the Supreme Court via the Colombo High Court.
In his appeal, the former minister asserts that he was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment along with fines by a special three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court.
Aluthgamage contends that the High Court bench misinterpreted certain critical facts during the trial, leading to an unjust verdict. He further argues that some key submissions made in his defense were not adequately considered in the final judgment.
The appeal claims that the sentence imposed is contrary to the law and requests the Supreme Court to annul the High Court’s verdict. The former minister also seeks an order for his full acquittal from all charges.
