Sarana to prison for 16 years

Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena was today (09) sentenced to rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court after being convicted in four corruption cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. According to the verdict delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail, a 72-year prison sentence has been imposed for the four relevant cases, which will run concurrently for 16 years.

In addition, the court has ordered the defendant to pay a fine of 1.8 million rupees, and the court has also provided a special clarification regarding this verdict to journalists.

This sentence was imposed in connection with an irregularity that occurred in 2006 when he served as the Chairman of the Development Lotteries Board. The Bribery Commission had filed these cases under the charge of causing financial loss to the government by acting in a manner that provided undue advantage to vehicle owners during the process of obtaining three vehicles for the institution on a rental basis. When the verdict was announced, the High Court judge emphasized that such corruption and fraud occurring within state institutions have directly contributed to the collapse of the country's economy and its bankruptcy. After it was confirmed that the prosecution had proven the charges against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt, prison officials escorted him to the cell.

Meanwhile, the court has ordered the re-remanding of the assistant manager of the Horana People's Bank branch, who was arrested in connection with the robbery of 35 million rupees from that bank. When the 54-year-old suspect, Nandana Sarath Kumara, was presented before the court, investigating officers pointed out that investigations related to this incident are still ongoing.

Therefore, the police also informed the court that they expect to take legal action against him under the Public Property Act in the future. After considering the facts presented, the court has ordered the suspect to be further remanded until the upcoming 23rd.