Sri Lanka, March 30 -- Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala rejected the preliminary objections raised by former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who are accused of misappropriating public funds.

The case relates to allegations that during the 2015 Presidential election period, 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draught boards were imported through the Lanka Sathosa and distributed to political offices of then Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa, causing a loss of Rs. 39 million to the State.

The High Court made this determination when considering the preliminary objections raised by the defence.

Meanwhile, the Court also ordered the release of former Sports Ministry Secretary, retired Major General Nand...