Former Sri Lankan ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando have been placed in a common ward at Welikada Prison following their sentencing to rigorous imprisonment over the misuse of state funds.

The Colombo High Court on Wednesday convicted the two former officials of distributing 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 checkers boards to sports associations ahead of the 2015 presidential election. The items, imported through state-run Lanka Sathosa, resulted in a loss of Rs 53.1 million to the government.

At the time, Fernando served as chairman of Lanka Sathosa, while Aluthgamage held the post of sports minister.

A three-judge bench of the High Court handed Fernando a 25-year sentence and fined him Rs 400,000. Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years and fined Rs 200,000

Prison officials said both were issued standard-issue jumpers and provided with a mat and pillow. They underwent medical examinations before being transferred to a general ward with other inmates.

According to prison spokesperson Gamini B. Dissanayake, the former ministers are expected to begin assigned labour on Thursday, likely in the facility’s printing division.