
Nalin Fernando (Kachchakaduge Nalin Ruwanjeewa Fernando)
Chairman, Lanka Sathosa (state enterprise) · Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)
Overview
- Status
- SERVING SENTENCE
- Current Case
- Six indictments under Section 70 of the Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission Act, re: illegal procurement of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draught/checker boards via Lanka Sathosa during the 2015 presidential campaign and their distribution to sports clubs/political offices; government loss cited as Rs. 53 million (one source: Rs. 39 million at time of 2018 arrest)
- Sentence
- 25 years (confirmed total across 1 matter)
- Appeal
- Supreme Court appeal against conviction/sentence; hearing continued 10 Mar 2026, judgment reserved 11 Mar 2026
- Next Hearing
- Supreme Court appeal against conviction/sentence; hearing continued 10 Mar 2026, judgment reserved 11 Mar 2026
- Last Verified
- 18 June 2026
The short version
Nalin Fernando (Kachchakaduge Nalin Ruwanjeewa Fernando) is currently serving 25 years rigorous imprisonment; official CIABOC also reports a Rs.100,000 fine per count (aggregate fine not calculated here without confirmed count structure). following a 2025 conviction. Six indictments under Section 70 of the Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission Act, re: illegal procurement of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draught/checker boards via Lanka Sathosa during the 2015 presidential campaign and their distribution to sports clubs/political offices; government loss cited as Rs. 53 million (one source: Rs. 39 million at time of 2018 arrest). Supreme Court appeal against conviction/sentence; hearing continued 10 Mar 2026, judgment reserved 11 Mar 2026.
How did we get here?
- UpcomingCase 1
Judgment Reserved
Supreme Court appeal against conviction/sentence; hearing continued 10 Mar 2026, judgment reserved 11 Mar 2026
Court: Colombo High Court Permanent Trial-at-Bar (trial); Supreme Court (appeal)
- 25 June 2026Case 2
Hearing
Petition to dismiss the indictment on double-jeopardy grounds, before the Court of Appeal; preliminary objections in the underlying case rejected 30 Mar 2026; co-accused former Sports Ministry Secretary Nanda Mallawarachchi discharged from this case 30 Mar 2026
Court: Court of Appeal
- 29 May 2025Case 1
Convicted — 25 years rigorous imprisonment; official CIABOC also reports a Rs.100,000 fine per count (aggregate fine not calculated here without confirmed count structure).
Six indictments under Section 70 of the Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission Act, re: illegal procurement of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draught/checker boards via Lanka Sathosa during the 2015 presidential campaign and their distribution to sports clubs/political offices; government loss cited as Rs. 53 million (one source: Rs. 39 million at time of 2018 arrest)
Court: Colombo High Court Permanent Trial-at-Bar (trial); Supreme Court (appeal)
Court cases
Six indictments under Section 70 of the Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission Act, re: illegal procurement of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draught/checker boards via Lanka Sathosa during the 2015 presidential campaign and their distribution to sports clubs/political offices; government loss cited as Rs. 53 million (one source: Rs. 39 million at time of 2018 arrest)
What’s happened
Supreme Court appeal against conviction/sentence; hearing continued 10 Mar 2026, judgment reserved 11 Mar 2026
- Court
- Colombo High Court Permanent Trial-at-Bar (trial); Supreme Court (appeal)
- Sentence
- 25 years rigorous imprisonment; official CIABOC also reports a Rs.100,000 fine per count (aggregate fine not calculated here without confirmed count structure).
- Next hearing / due
- Supreme Court appeal against conviction/sentence; hearing continued 10 Mar 2026, judgment reserved 11 Mar 2026
Misappropriation of government funds under Section 170 of the Criminal Procedure Code - same carrom-board/Lanka Sathosa facts as the conviction above, filed separately by the Attorney General's Department
What’s happened
Petition to dismiss the indictment on double-jeopardy grounds, before the Court of Appeal; preliminary objections in the underlying case rejected 30 Mar 2026; co-accused former Sports Ministry Secretary Nanda Mallawarachchi discharged from this case 30 Mar 2026
- Court
- Court of Appeal
- Next hearing / due
- 25 June 2026
Political career
Ministerial positions
Minister of Trade, Commerce & Food Security
2022–2024
Other political positions
Member of Parliament for Gampaha District
2020–2024
Chairman, Lanka Sathosa (state enterprise)
Dates not publicly confirmed
Party history
Parliament records SLPP as his last elected party for the 2020-2024 Parliament. Exact formal joining date was not established.
