The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today (May 29) sentenced 02 former ministers over their involvement in a major corruption case linked to the importation of sports equipment, which is infamously known as the ‘Carrom Board’ case.

Ex-Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment while former Trade Minister – Nalin Fernando was sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in the case as the Lanka Sathosa Chairman at that time.

The case, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), stated that 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 checkers boards were imported by the Sathosa institution for distribution to sports clubs during the 2015 Presidential Election. The total financial loss to the state was estimated at Rs. 53.1 million.

The verdict was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Justice Pradeep Hettiarachchi, Justice Pradeep Abeyratne, and Justice Mahesh Weeraman.

The indictment included six counts under Section 70 of the Bribery Act.

The court ruled that the charges brought against the accused had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was heard for over 06 years.

Employees of all Bank of Ceylon (BoC) branches have decided to walk out of service at 12.30 pm today (May 29).

The decision has been taken over the current management not taking the initiative to provide them with the 06-month incentive package approved by the Board of Directors, according to the Bank Employees’ Union.

Central Committee member of the Bank Employees’ Union – Najith Wijeratne, stated that they will initiate a token strike if this issue is not resolved by June 06.

BoC employees have also held lunchtime protests yesterday (May 28) in front of 22 branches in major cities islandwide.

A shooting incident occurred in the Wekada area of Panadura today (May 29), leaving an individual injured.

The injured individual has been admitted to the Panadura Base Hospital for treatment.