The Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar today ordered that the petitions requesting bail for imprisoned former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando be taken up for further clarification on September 23.
Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who are currently serving heavy prison sentences after being convicted in the Carrom Board case, have filed petitions requesting bail pending the outcome of their appeals.Â
The bail applications were heard today before the three-member bench comprising Justices Mahesh Weeraman, Pradeep Abeyratne, and Amali Ranawera.
During the hearing, the legal representative of the Bribery Commission informed the court that they had not yet received the relevant documents about the petitions.
After reviewing the submissions, the bench instructed the Bribery Commission to issue the necessary documents and scheduled the petitions to be heard again on September 23.
The petitions were submitted by Aluthgamage and Fernando on the grounds that they have appealed their convictions to the Supreme Court, and are seeking release on bail until a final verdict is delivered.
In May this year, the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar sentenced Mahindananda Aluthgamage to 20 years and Nalin Fernando to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment over the importation of sports equipment during the 2015 Presidential Election period.Â
The case filed by the Bribery Commission accused the duo of having misappropriated Rs. 53.1 million between 01 September and 31 December 2014 during the importation of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts boards for distribution to sports clubs. (Islandnews)
