Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, accused of large-scale corruption involving public funds, are currently imprisoned at Welikada Prison. They are being held in Ward K, infamously known among inmates as the “Sharks’ Ward,” a section reserved for wealthy or influential prisoners.
The Carrom Board Scandal
The duo has been accused of illegally using Sathosa funds to purchase 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 checker (wali) boards, allegedly to distribute to sports clubs. However, investigations revealed that these boards were instead distributed to Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) election offices across various electoral districts, resulting in a loss of 53 million rupees to the government.
The complaint was filed by Wasantha Samarasinghe, Convener of the Anti-Corruption Voice, to the Bribery or Corruption Commission. Although it was claimed in court that the items were given to sports clubs, evidence showed that the actual recipients were party election offices.
Life Inside Welikada
Now serving their sentences, both Mahindananda and Nalin wear standard prison uniforms (jumpers) and are allowed to keep only basic personal belongings: a plate, a bucket, a mat, a coir pillow, a jumper, and a bag. Identified only by prisoner numbers, they are expected to be transferred soon to the work unit of the prison.
Sharks’ Ward and High-Profile Inmates
Ward K is known as the “Sharks’ Ward,” where affluent and influential prisoners are held. Duminda Silva, serving a life sentence, and former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith, convicted on corruption charges, are also housed there.
The Basil Rajapaksa Connection
There is speculation that Mahindananda is paying the price for someone else’s wrongdoing, specifically former Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Nalin Fernando, a close ally of Basil, was appointed Chairman of Sathosa during his tenure. Both Mahindananda and Nalin are believed to be long-time associates of the Rajapaksa family’s political and financial network.
Mahindananda’s involvement, often attributed to his limited education and greed, became more evident when he served as the State Minister of Power and Energy. During this time, W.D.J. Seneviratne was the Minister, and M.M.C. Ferdinando was the Ministry Secretary. Both Mahindananda and Ferdinando were accused of accepting commissions from power projects like Norochcholai, using the illicit funds to purchase property in Australia and England.
How the Road to Prison Was Paved
Before the 2015 presidential election, Mahindananda served as Minister of Sports under the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration. His ministry included Retired Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi as Secretary, Elmo Perera (a retired Air Force Staff Officer) as Coordinating Secretary, and Ranjani Jayakody, a senior Public Administration Officer, as Director General of the Sports Development Department.
During the election campaign, Basil Rajapaksa, who was in charge, instructed Nalin Fernando to use Sathosa funds to distribute carrom and checker boards to SLFP offices. These items were procured outside the standard public procurement procedures and delivered to party offices via the Sports Ministry.
In an attempt to legitimize the purchases, Minister Mahindananda tried to have the documents signed by Director General Ranjani Jayakody, who refused due to the illegal nature of the transactions. However, Major General Mallawarachchi, who lacked deep experience in civil administration, signed the documents, helping to push the fraudulent process forward.
Final Thoughts
Once a powerful figure in Nawalapitiya, Mahindananda now shares a prison cell and parippu meals with Nalin Fernando—both symbols of a political system riddled with corruption and loyalty trades. Their downfall is a reflection of the larger systemic failures and the invisible hands that protect the masterminds while pawns take the fall.
