Sarana Gunawardena | |
|---|---|
| සරණ ගුණවර්ධන | |
| Deputy Minister of Petroleum Industries | |
| In office 2010–2015 | |
| Member of Parliament for Gampaha District | |
| In office 5 December 2001 – 7 February 2004 | |
| In office 25 March 2008 – 26 June 2015 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1964-04-28) 28 April 1964 |
| Party | Sri Lanka Freedom Party |
Other political affiliations | United People's Freedom Alliance |
| Criminal information | |
Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Conviction | Corruption (4 counts) |
Criminal penalty | Four 4-year sentences (concurrent) |
Date apprehended | 9 June 2026 |
| Imprisoned at | Welikada Prison |
Bamunuarachchi Pathirannehelage Sarana Guptha Gunawardena (Sinhala: සරණ ගුණවර්ධන; born 28 April 1964) is a Sri Lankan politician, a former Member of Parliament and a deputy minister.[1]
Corruption charges and conviction
On 4 September 2017, Gunawardena was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) of Sri Lanka Police on charges relating to the misuse of state property during his tenure as chairman of the National Lotteries Board from 2005 to 2007.[2]
On 6 June 2026, the Colombo High Court convicted Gunawardena on four indictments filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), alleging that he caused losses to the state while serving as chairman of the National Lotteries Board. He received a sentence of four years' rigorous imprisonment for each indictment, to run concurrently, and a fine of Rs. 1.8 million (approximately US$5,345).[3]
References
- "Hon. Sarana Gunawardena, M.P." Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
- "Sarana Gunawardena arrested by CCD". Ada Derana. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
- "Sarana Gunawardena sentenced to four years imprisonment in corruption case". Daily Mirror. 9 June 2026. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026. Retrieved 9 June 2026.