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	==Controversies==		==Controversies==
	In 2018, he was accused of mishandling the funds during his tenure as sports minister from 2010 to 2015 and was arrested regarding the funds spent on imported cricket and other sports equipments.<ref>{{Cite web\|last=MENAFN\|title=Sri Lanka- Case filed against former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage\|url=https://menafn.com/1098695240/Sri-Lanka-Case-filed-against-former-Sports-Minister-Mahindananda-Aluthgamage\|access-date=25 June 2020\|work=menafn.com}}</ref~~><ref name=":1" /~~>		In 2018, he was accused of mishandling the funds during his tenure as sports minister from 2010 to 2015 and was arrested regarding the funds spent on imported cricket and other sports equipments.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web\|last=MENAFN\|title=Sri Lanka- Case filed against former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage\|url=https://menafn.com/1098695240/Sri-Lanka-Case-filed-against-former-Sports-Minister-Mahindananda-Aluthgamage\|access-date=25 June 2020\|work=menafn.com}}</ref>

	===Fixing allegations===		===Fixing allegations===

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{{Short description|Sri Lankan politician}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Mahindananda Aluthgamage
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|si|මහින්දානන්ද අලුත්ගමගේ}}}} <br /> {{nobold|{{lang|ta|மஹிந்தானந்த அளுத்கமகே}}}}
| office = [[Ministry of Sports (Sri Lanka)|Minister for Sport]]
| president = [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]
| prime_minister = [[D. M. Jayaratne]]
| term_start = 22 November 2010
| term_end = 12 January 2015
| predecessor = [[C. B. Rathnayake]]
| successor = [[Navin Dissanayake]]
| office2 = [[Ministry of Power and Energy]]
| constituency_MP3 = [[Kandy Electoral District|Kandy District]]
| parliament3 = Sri Lankan
| term_start3 = 2000
| term_end3 = 24 September 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|11|21|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Nawalapitiya]], [[Central Province, Sri Lanka|Central Province]], Sri Lanka
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Sri Lanka Freedom Party]]
| other_party =
| spouse = Senani Jayarathne
| partner = 
| relations =
| children =
| education = [[Royal College, Colombo]]<br>Gangasiripura Vidyalaya Gampola
| Education =
| occupation = Politician
| profession =
| signature =
| website =
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox criminal
| embed = yes
| conviction = [[Corruption]]
| conviction_penalty = 20 years
| conviction_status = Incarcerated
}}
}}

'''Mahindananda Aluthgamage''' (born 21 November 1964) is a Sri Lankan former politician who served as the Minister of Sports.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBCSinhala.com. Sandeshaya. Sri Lanka minister 'to complain' to ICC|url=https://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2011/04/110411_minister_icc.shtml|access-date=25 June 2020|publisher=BBC}}</ref> He has also served as Deputy Minister of Power and Energy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hon State Ministers' Message|url=http://powermin.gov.lk/english/?page_id=5365|access-date=25 June 2020|work=Ministry of Power and Energy|language=en-US}}</ref>

He was elected as a [[Member of Parliament (Sri Lanka)|Member of Parliament]] representing the [[Kandy Electoral District]]. He was educated at [[Gangasiripura Vidyalaya]] [[Gampola]]<ref>Nihal Jayawardena (23 November 2010). [http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/11/23/spo03.asp Mahindananda new Sports Minister] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127002639/http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/11/23/spo03.asp |date=27 November 2010 }}. dailynews.lk</ref><ref>Hafiz Marikar (5 December 2012) [https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2010/12/05/spo04.asp All welcome inspiring new Sports Minister]. sundayobserver.lk</ref> and [[Royal College Colombo]]. He lost his position as a minister in 2015 when President [[Mahinda Rajapaksa|Mahinda Rajapaksha]] was defeated in the [[2015 Sri Lankan presidential election|2015 presidential election]]. He is well known for his ability to speak [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and English fluently and gained popularity among the Tamil community for his political rallies in Northern Province.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Mahindananda completes 30 years in politics|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2020/03/02/local/213082/mahindananda-completes-30-years-politics|access-date=25 June 2020|work=Daily News|language=en}}</ref>

On 29 May 2025, Aluthgamage was convicted of corruption by the Colombo High Court and was sentenced to twenty years of rigorous imprisonment.<ref name="AD-29M" /><ref name="NWS-29M" /><ref name="DAW-29M" />

==Career==
He entered mainstream politics in 1990 at the age of 25.<ref name=":0" /> He served as a people's representative in the Sri Lankan Parliament in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2010 and 2020. He served as the minister of sports from 2010 to 2015.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Niroshani|first=Dhanushika|title=Case against former Minister of Sports|url=https://www.ciaboc.gov.lk/prosecute/the-person-who-indicted-recently/781-case-against-former-minister-of-sports|access-date=25 June 2020|work=ciaboc.gov.lk|date=3 July 2019|language=en-gb}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Highest allocation in the history of local sports – Mahindananda Aluthgamage|url=https://www.news.lk/news/business/item/3824-highest-allocation-in-the-history-of-local-sports-mahindananda-aluthgamage|access-date=25 June 2020|work=news.lk|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sri Lanka players to be paid soon – sports minister |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22364246/sri-lanka-players-paid-next-week-says-sports-minister|access-date=25 June 2020|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

He was sworn in as the state minister of Power and Energy on 27 November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 January 2020|title=A new power plant to be constructed every 2 years : State Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage|url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/01/29/a-new-power-plant-to-be-constructed-every-2-years-state-minister-mahindananda-aluthgamage/|access-date=25 June 2020|work=Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst|language=en}}</ref> In February 2020, his position was later changed and modified as state minister of Renewable Energy and Power.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Changes in Mahindananda's ministry|url=https://www.lankanewsweb.net/67-general-news/56212-Changes-in-Mahindananda’s-ministry|access-date=25 June 2020|work=lankanewsweb.net|language=English}}</ref> In June 2020, he was appointed as the spokesperson for the Sri Lankan government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Two Ministers appointed Govt. spokespersons. Daily FT|url=http://www.ft.lk/news/Two-Ministers-appointed-Govt--spokespersons/56-693011|access-date=25 June 2020|work=ft.lk|language=English}}</ref> In June 2020, he completed his 30 years of politics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahindananda Aluthgamage is an honest politician – PM|url=https://archive.ceylontoday.lk/print-more/53391|access-date=25 June 2020|work=CeylonToday|language=en}}</ref>

Aluthgamage lost his parliamentary seat in [[2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2024]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rohitha in, Mahindananda out – Breaking News {{!}} Daily Mirror |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Rohitha-in-Mahindananda-out/108-296069 |access-date=16 November 2024 |website=Daily Mirror |location=Sri Lanka |language=English}}</ref> Following the electoral defeat, he announced his retirement from politics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=“Voters have spoken”: Mahindananda announces retirement from politics |url=https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=103539 |access-date=16 November 2024 |website=adaderana.lk |language=en}}</ref>

==Controversies==
In 2018, he was accused of mishandling the funds during his tenure as sports minister from 2010 to 2015 and was arrested regarding the funds spent on imported cricket and other sports equipments.<ref>{{Cite web|last=MENAFN|title=Sri Lanka- Case filed against former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage|url=https://menafn.com/1098695240/Sri-Lanka-Case-filed-against-former-Sports-Minister-Mahindananda-Aluthgamage|access-date=25 June 2020|work=menafn.com}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

===Fixing allegations===
On 18 June 2020, in an interview with [[News First]] he made a shocking allegation that during his tenure as sports minister the [[2011 Cricket World Cup Final|2011 World Cup final]] featuring [[India national cricket team|India]] and [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] was fixed and further claimed that the [[2011 Cricket World Cup|2011 World Cup]] trophy was sold to India without specifying any evidence.<ref>{{Cite web|title='World Cup 2011 final was fixed': Former Sri Lanka Sports Minister comes up with shocking claim|url=https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-2011-final-was-fixed-former-sri-lanka-sports-minister-comes-up-with-shocking-claim-306797|access-date=25 June 2020|publisher=WION|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mukherjee|first=Shubro|title=Former Sri Lanka Sports Minister backs his allegations made on match-fixing in 2011 World Cup final|date=20 June 2020 |url=https://crickettimes.com/2020/06/former-sri-lanka-sports-minister-backs-his-allegations-made-on-match-fixing-in-2011-world-cup-final/|access-date=25 June 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> He didn't reveal the details of the cricketers supposedly involved and insisted that he will not disclose the details for the sake of the country with absolute responsibility.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 June 2020|title=(VIDEO) 2011 Cricket WC Final between India & Sri Lanka was fixed, Ex-SL Sports Minister|url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/06/18/2011-cricket-wc-final-between-india-sri-lanka-was-fixed-ex-sl-sports-minister/|access-date=25 June 2020|work=Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst|language=en}}</ref> His comments drew widespread criticism and global media attention among the cricket fraternity.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 June 2020|title=Former Sri Lanka minister claims 2011 World Cup final was fixed, Sangakkara demands proof|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/former-sri-lanka-minister-claims-2011-world-cup-final-was-fixed-sangakkara-demands-proof/story-9EGSxFH8yGdbfGP4CV4fsJ.html|access-date=25 June 2020|work=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Aravinda de Silva slams ex-SL minister for making outrageous claim of 2011 World Cup final being fixed|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/aravinda-de-silva-slams-ex-sl-minister-for-making-outrageous-claim-of-2011-world-cup-final-being-fixed/609875|access-date=25 June 2020|work=timesnownews.com|date=22 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Former Sri Lankan cricketers [[Mahela Jayawardene]] and [[Kumar Sangakkara]] who were part of the World Cup final denied the allegations and claimed that the minister was seeking for [[publicity stunt]] and political advantage ahead of the [[2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|upcoming parliamentary election]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Was 2011 World Cup final fixed? Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene respond to shocking claims by former Sri Lanka sports minister|url=https://www.wionews.com/sports/was-2011-world-cup-final-fixed-kumar-sangakkara-mahela-jayawardene-respond-to-shocking-claims-by-former-sri-lanka-sports-minister-306812|access-date=25 June 2020|publisher=WION|language=en}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Sports (Sri Lanka)|Ministry of Sports]] also launched an investigation to probe the allegations made by Mahindananda.<ref>{{Cite web|last=admin|date=19 June 2020|title=Sports Ministry launches probe on match fixing allegations. Colombo Gazette|url=https://colombogazette.com/2020/06/19/sports-ministry-launches-probe-on-match-fixing-allegations/|access-date=25 June 2020|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Ex Sri Lanka cricket team captain [[Arjuna Ranatunga]] also made a serious allegation that the [[2011 Cricket World Cup Final]] match between India and Sri Lanka had been fixed.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/2011-world-cup-final-india-vs-sri-lanka-match-was-fixed-says-ranatunga-117071400709_1.html |title=Ranatunga Says 2011 World Cup Final was Fixed (14 July 2017) |date=14 July 2017 |work=Business Standard |access-date=8 April 2021}}</ref> Both Aluthgamage and Ranatunga demanded a probe into the events at the final match.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.india.com/sports/heres-why-after-six-years-arjuna-ranatunga-has-demanded-a-probe-into-2011-cricket-world-cup-final-2320841/ |title=Arjuna Ranatunga Demands Probe into 2011 World Cup Final (14 July 2017) |publisher=india.com |access-date=8 April 2021}}</ref> The [[International Cricket Council]] stated that it will investigate him based on his match-fixing allegations under ICC anti-corruption unit.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 June 2020|title=ICC to speak with Ex-Minister Mahindananda on Match-Fixing allegations|url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/06/22/icc-to-speak-with-ex-minister-mahindananda-on-match-fixing-allegations/|access-date=25 June 2020|work=Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mukherjee|first=Shubro|title=ICC to look at match-fixing allegations of 2011 WC final as levelled by ex-Sri Lanka sports minister|date=23 June 2020 |url=https://crickettimes.com/2020/06/icc-to-look-at-match-fixing-allegations-of-2011-wc-final-as-levelled-by-ex-sri-lanka-sports-minister/|access-date=25 June 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> On 25 June 2020, however he claimed that his allegations were only suspicion and demanded for an independent investigation regarding the fixing claims.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 June 2020|title=After declaring SL sold 2011 WC final to India, Lankan minister says it's his suspicion|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/after-declaring-sl-sold-2011-wc-final-to-india-lankan-minister-says-it-s-his-suspicion/story-v6FuwkMp8G27Gz1O6FqrlO.html|access-date=25 June 2020|work=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Although Sri Lankan Police conducted a probe, they later dropped it citing lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/sri-lanka-police-calls-off-2011-wc-final-fixing-probe/story-oy78GLIeZeyJzmazQBh41N.html |title=Sri Lanka Police Drops Match Fixing Probe (3 July 2020) |date=3 July 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=8 April 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411170521/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/sri-lanka-police-calls-off-2011-wc-final-fixing-probe/story-oy78GLIeZeyJzmazQBh41N.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Later [[International Cricket Council]] rubbished the [[match fixing]] claims made by Ranatunga and Aluthgamage.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/icc-statement-match-fixing-2011-world-cup-final-6488647/ |title=ICC Rubbishes Match Fixing Allegations (4 July 2020) |date=3 July 2020 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=8 April 2021}}</ref>

==Criminal conviction==
On 29 May 2025, Aluthgamage was convicted by the [[High Court of Sri Lanka#Special High Court|Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar]] in [[Colombo]] and sentenced to twenty years of rigorous imprisonment. The conviction relates to a charge filed in 2019 by the commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), accusing him of causing a loss of over [[Sri Lankan rupee|Rs.]] 53 million to the government through the irregular procurement of sports equipment for distribution during the [[2015 Sri Lankan presidential election]].<ref name="AD-29M">{{Cite web |date=29 May 2025 |title=Mahindananda sentenced to 20 years RI; Nalin Fernando gets 25 years RI |url=https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=108988 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529064647/https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=108988 |archive-date=29 May 2025 |access-date=29 May 2025 |website=adaderana.lk |language=en}}</ref><ref name="NWS-29M">{{Cite web |last=Farzan |first=Zulfick |date=29 May 2025 |title=UPDATE: Mahindananda Gets 20 Years, Nalin Fernando 25 in Corruption Verdict |url=https://english.newsfirst.lk/2025/5/29/update-mahindananda-gets-20-years-nalin-fernando-25-in-corruption-verdict |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529065040/https://english.newsfirst.lk/2025/05/29/update-mahindananda-gets-20-years-nalin-fernando-25-in-corruption-verdict |archive-date=29 May 2025 |access-date=29 May 2025 |website=english.newsfirst.lk |language=en}}</ref><ref name="DAW-29M">{{Cite web |date=29 May 2025 |title=Sri Lanka ex-ministers jailed up to 25 years for corruption |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1914076 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530025955/https://www.dawn.com/news/1914076/sri-lanka-ex-ministers-jailed-up-to-25-years-for-corruption |archive-date=2025-05-30 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Dawn|location=Pakistan |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090312013609/http://www.parliament.lk/directory_of_members/ViewMember.do?memID=58 Biographies of Member of Parliament]
*[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/rcob.html Right Royal rally of old Royalists in the Sri Lanka Parliament]

{{Sri Lankan Sports ministers}}
{{Members of 11th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}
{{Members of 12th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}
{{Members of 13th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}
{{Members of 14th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}
{{Members of 15th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}
{{Members of 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}
{{Members of the Sri Lankan Parliament from Kandy}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aluthgamage, Mahindananda}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Provincial councillors of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Sports ministers of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:United People's Freedom Alliance politicians]]
[[Category:Alumni of Royal College, Colombo]]
[[Category:Members of the 11th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Members of the 12th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Members of the 13th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Members of the 14th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Members of the 15th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Members of the 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna politicians]]
[[Category:Politicians from Kandy]]
[[Category:2011 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan prisoners and detainees]]

Mahindananda Aluthgamage - Revision history

CleanupBot: /* Controversies */ clean up

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