Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena files appeals against 16-year sentence

Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena has filed four appeal petitions seeking to be acquitted and released from a 16-year rigorous imprisonment sentence and to overturn fines imposed following a corruption conviction.The appeals filed through attorney Ranjan de Silva were submitted to the Colombo High Court for transmission to the Court of Appeal, Ada Derana reporter said.The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) filed four cases before the Colombo High Court against Gunawardena over allegations that, while serving as Chairman of the Development Lotteries Board in 2006, he caused financial losses to the government by acquiring leased vehicles without adhering to mandatory procurement procedures.Following trial proceedings, the Colombo High Court found him guilty of all charges. He was subsequently sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment in each case, resulting in a sentence of 16 years. Court also imposed a fine of Rs. 1.8 million.Through the appeals, Deputy Minister Gunawardena is seeking to overturn the conviction and the fines imposed by the High Court.