PoliticsEconomyHOTTuesday, June 9, 2026

Corruption Conviction: Ex-Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena Sentenced to 16 Years

TLDR

Sarana Gunawardena jailed 16 years for 4 corruption cases.
Convicted on 18 charges, sentence served concurrently.
Fined Rs 1.8 million; transferred to Welikada Prison.
Judge Mohamed Mihail delivered the 16-year verdict.

Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena has been sentenced to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court after being found guilty on multiple corruption charges. The court also imposed a fine of Rs. 1.8 million. The conviction stems from four cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, relating to Gunawardena's tenure as Chairman of the Development Lotteries Board in 2006, where he allegedly caused a loss to the government by acquiring vehicles on a rental basis. The trial judge, Mohammed Mihail, reportedly commented that economic decline is fueled by corrupt officials.

2 Updates

Update #3\u00b7 Jun 10 · 5:58 AM

Following his conviction, ex-Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena has been transferred to Welikada Prison. The transfer and his placement in a normal ward were confirmed by Prison Spokesperson Commissioner A.C. Gajanaika. The sentence of 16 years imprisonment with hard labour, comprising 4 years for each of the four cases, was imposed by Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail.

Update #2\u00b7 Jun 10 · 1:33 AM

Ex-Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena has been convicted on 18 charges across 4 cases filed by the Bribery Commission. The Colombo High Court sentenced him to a total of 72 years imprisonment with hard labour, to be served concurrently within 16 years. He was also fined Rs 18 lakhs, with additional jail time stipulated for non-payment.

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