Former ministers Mahindananda Aluth Gamage, Nalin Fernando and former Sports Ministry Secretary Retired Army Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi were indicted before the Colombo High Court today (21) for allegedly committing an offence under the Public Property Act.
This relates to the incident of importing carrom boards and tarpaulins through the Sri Lanka Sports Federation (SLTSF) during the 2014 presidential election and distributing them to sports associations with the aim of gaining political advantage.
Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne subsequently ordered the release of the three accused on bail.
However, the High Court judge also ordered the prison officials to produce the defendants in this case, former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, in court on the next court date, as they are already serving prison sentences under the Bribery Act.