We have received information that the number of shares and voting rights held by the Finnish State in Sponda Plc (Trade Register No. 525.102) will decrease from 53.22 % to 49.1 % if Sponda's annual general meeting on 27 March 2999 approves the proposals of the company's Board of Directors. These include increasing the share capital through a privileged issue of new shares to acquire a majority holding in Castrum Oyj and annulling the company's own shares after their acquisition.