Sri Lanka, May 29 -- The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today (29), sentenced former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Trade Minister Nalin Fernando to rigorous imprisonment.

Nalin Fernando received a 25-year sentence, while Mahindananda Aluthgamage was handed a 20-year sentence.

Additionally, Fernando was fined Rs. 400,000, and Mahindananda was fined Rs. 200,000.

The charges stemmed from the 2015 Presidential Election period, where they were accused of causing a Rs. 53 million loss to the government by purchasing and distributing 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards through the State Trading Corporation.

The court's view was that a verdict should be delivered to deter individuals from engaging ...