Sarana Gunawardena, a former deputy minister under ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa, was sentenced to 16 years in prison on June 9, 2026, for graft relating to financial misconduct dating back about 20 years [1, 2].
Gunawardena was convicted on four separate charges, receiving a 4-year term for each charge to be served consecutively, totaling 16 years behind bars [1, 2]. He was also fined 1.8 million Sri Lankan rupees (approximately S$6,870) [1, 2].
The charges stemmed from kickbacks he received after overpaying vendors 11.5 million Sri Lankan rupees for renting vehicles and buildings two decades ago [1, 2]. The High Court rejected appeals for leniency, stating the sentence aims to deter corruption within the public sector [1, 2].
Gunawardena is the latest member of the Rajapaksa administration to face convictions, following former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who received prison sentences of 20 to 25 years [1, 2].
Sri Lanka's current leftist government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has intensified efforts to strengthen anti-corruption agencies in response to the 2022 mass protests that led to the ouster of Gotabaya Rajapaksa [1, 2]. This aligns with conditions set by the International Monetary Fund for its US$2.9 billion bailout program, which requires governance reforms and tighter anti-corruption measures [1, 2].
In related developments, a foreign travel ban was imposed on Gotabaya Rajapaksa on June 3 amid investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed 279 people [1, 2]. Gotabaya’s intelligence chief, Suresh Sallay, remains in custody accused of masterminding the attacks [1, 2].
The Sri Lankan court publicly announced Gunawardena’s sentencing on June 19, confirming the graft case involved substantial overpayments made nearly two decades ago [2].
