The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of Sri Lanka police today arrested former Sports Minister and Joint Opposition MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
He was taken into custody when he arrived at the FCID office to give a statement over the misuse of state funds amounting to Rs 39 million.
Police Media Spokesman Superintendent of Police Ruwan Gunasekara said that MP Aluthgamage was arrested for allegedly incurring losses amounting to 39 million rupees for the purchase of carom and checkers boards when he was the Minister of Sports in 2014.
He was accused of spending state funds to buy 14,000 carom and checkers boards, which were distributed to UPFA party offices during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidential election campaign in 2014.
The FCID also arrested the former chairman of state-owned retail network, Lanka Sathosa Nalin Fernando earlier this month in connection with the same transaction. Fernando was remanded and later released on bail.
Aluthgamage was released on a cash bail of Rs. 35,000 and two personal sureties of Rs. 500,000 when he was produced before the Fort Magistrate.
