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

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.