A former technical officer of the Horowpothana Pradeshiya Sabha, accused of soliciting and receiving Rs. 40,000 from a businessman for approval of an environmental permit to operate a paddy warehouse, was acquitted by Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal, it was reported. 

The judge ruled that the prosecution had failed to present a strong case, noting contradictions between the testimonies of the complainant businessman and the officers of the Bribery Commission who conducted the raid. 

Accepting a request made by defense counsel Darshana Kuruppu under Section 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court released the accused without summoning witnesses.

The accused, Roshan Guruge, faced four charges alleging that between November 10 and 15, 2022, he solicited Rs. 20,000 on two occasions from businessman Mohamed Naleem, amounting to Rs. 40,000 in total.

During the trial, both Naleem and Bribery Commission officers testified. However, the judge concluded that the evidence lacked consistency and did not establish a case strong enough to require the accused to present a defence. (Newswire)

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A police sergeant attached to the Dambulla Highway Unit has been suspended and transferred following the circulation of a video on social media allegedly showing him soliciting a bribe, according to DIG W. P. J. Senadeera, Director of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Range.

DIG Senadeera said an investigation is already underway, with the matter having drawn the attention of the Inspector General of Police (IGP). 

“We expect to take disciplinary and legal action based on facts uncovered. If he is found to have accepted a bribe, then we will take action against him under the Bribery Act,” he stated.

He acknowledged that while a few officers tarnish the reputation of the Police Force, the majority of traffic officers perform their duties responsibly. 

He stressed that traffic officers are already provided cash rewards for apprehending wanted suspects, leaving no justification for bribery. “Amidst this, if they still take bribes, they will not be pardoned,” he warned.

Commenting on the video, DIG Senadeera noted that the officer was seen hidden in a corner, which violates explicit instructions requiring traffic officers to remain visible to the public while on duty. 

He added that asking drivers to walk to a different location from where their vehicle is stopped is against established procedure.

DIG Senadeera also reminded the public that there is no need to hand over money to traffic police officers, as payments can be made through the GovPay app. 

“Providing a bribe is also wrong, soliciting a bribe is also wrong. There is no reason to bribe a police officer,” he emphasized.

DIG Senadeera added that the investigation continues under the supervision of higher authorities, with disciplinary measures expected once findings are finalized. (Newswire)

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The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has recommended that matters relating to land misuse, financial irregularities, and administrative deficiencies at the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) be referred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for formal investigation.

The issue was taken up when COPE met recently under the chairmanship of MP Nishantha Samaraweera to examine Auditor General’s Reports for 2022 and 2023 and review the NHDA’s current performance.

Discussions centered on the leasing of valuable NHDA‑owned lands at Maligawatta, Elvitigala Mawatha, and Rangirigama, Dambulla to external parties at nominal values without Cabinet approval, the use of such lands for purposes contrary to agreements, and the failure to safeguard assets.

COPE observed that many transactions were carried out in violation of NHDA’s objectives and legal provisions. The Committee directed that comprehensive reports on the irregularities be sent to the CID and CIABOC for legal action.

Officials were also instructed to expedite internal audits, identify responsible officers, and initiate disciplinary measures. 

COPE further recommended strengthening asset management and internal control systems to prevent future irregularities. (Newswire)

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A former economic development official in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing was sentenced to death Monday for taking bribes worth $325 million over three decades.

Yang Youlin also was convicted of embezzlement, offering bribes, misappropriation of public funds, abuse of power and money laundering in one of the most dramatic corruption cases in recent years in terms of the sheer scale of the bribes involved.

He was investigated as part of President Xi Jinping’s long-running anti-corruption campaign that critics say has been used partly to remove Xi’s political rivals.

The bribes were paid to Yang in exchange for help with “undertaking projects, business operations, land grants and working capital,” the Changzhou Intermediate People’s Court said in a statement.

Yang “illegally accepted property and assets” worth more than 2.21 billion yuan ($325 million) from 1993 to 2023, the court said.

Yang delivered a final statement in court that “expressed his guilt and remorse,” the court in Jiangsu province said. In the photos released by the court, a gray-haired Yang is wearing a dark jacket and standing between two uniformed police officers. 

Public hearings for the case were held on two days in March and April, with more than 30 people attending, the court said.

It said Yang’s personal property would be seized and authorities would try to recover the full amount he received in bribes.

Yang was the latest official sentenced to death for corruption in recent years in China.

In 2021, Lai Xiaomin, a party secretary of a state-owned company, was sentenced to death and executed over crimes of accepting bribes, embezzlement and bigamy. In 2024, Li Jianping, a local official in Inner Mongolia, was executed after being found guilty of embezzlement and bribery. (AP)

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Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva today ordered the remand of a Police Inspector until July 3, following his arrest by the Bribery Commission over a Rs.1 million bribe allegedly accepted at a hotel in Kalutara North.

According to reports, the suspect, attached to the Kalutara South Police Station and serving in the Special Crimes Investigation Division, was taken into custody during a sting operation conducted last night (22) after a businessman lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission.

The court was informed that the officer had demanded Rs.1.1 million to avoid filing criminal charges against a vehicle under inquiry and to return it to its owner. 

Of this amount, Rs.100,000 had already been accepted on May 30. The balance Rs.1 million was allegedly received at the hotel, where Bribery Commission officials arrested the Police Inspector with the money in hand. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Justice has urged the public to immediately report any instances where Inquirers into Sudden Deaths (ISDs) demand bribes or other undue benefits in connection with their official duties.

The Ministry announced that it has introduced dedicated channels for complaints and information. 

Members of the public may report such incidents via WhatsApp on 0702724637 or by contacting the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) hotline on 1954.

The ministry said that ISDs are appointed under Section 108 of the Criminal Procedure Code to assist the judicial process and are required to provide their services at any time when necessary. 

The Ministry added that it is illegal to offer or accept money, gifts, or any other benefits in exchange for these services.

The Ministry further said it has received continuous complaints alleging that some ISDs exploit the emotional vulnerability of bereaved families by soliciting money and other favors as bribes. 

The Justice Ministry urged the public to report such incidents promptly to the relevant authorities. (Newswire)

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The Officer‑in‑Charge (OIC) of the Welikada Police Station has been remanded after being arrested on suspicion of soliciting a bribe of Rs. 300,000 each to return passports belonging to Chinese nationals detained recently in Rajagiriya.

The suspect was taken into custody by the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Division and produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

After hearing submissions from both sides, Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered the suspect to be placed in remand custody until June 9. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne has left the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption after recording a statement in connection with the probe related to the Airbus deal linked to SriLankan Airlines.

Piyankara Jayaratne had departed after giving a statement for nearly four hours before the Commission.

He had appeared before the Commission today (12) following a summons to record a statement regarding the alleged 2 million US Dollars in bribes said to have been given during the purchase of Airbus aircraft by SriLankan Airlines in 2013. (Newswire)

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A Police Constable attached to the Peliyagoda Police Station has been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on charges of soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 200,000.

According to the Bribery Commission, a Constable had allegedly demanded a bribe to release a suspect arrested on April 19 by the Peliyagoda Police Anti‑Corruption Division for possession of ICE narcotics, instead of proceeding with legal action.

A raid was carried out on April 24, during which one Police Constable was arrested while another fled the scene. 

The fugitive officer was later arrested by Bribery Commission officials yesterday (04) at around 9.40 am.

The suspect was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court and remanded until May 12. (Newswire)

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According to the Bribery Commission, the Chairman approved a construction plan for government‑owned land in the Magoda Grama Niladhari Division without following the proper procedures outlined under Sections 8 and 21 of the Urban Development Authority Act No. 41 of 1978. 

The approval, granted in 2021, is said to have provided undue benefit to the applicant, constituting an act of corruption.

As such, the Chairman of the Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha was arrested at around 9:10 am today and is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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Two individuals, residents of Ragama, were arrested on Wednesday (18) by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, following accusations that they solicited and accepted a bribe of Rs. 50,000.

According to a Bribery Commission statement, the suspects were arrested at the Mihiri Hotel in Ragama town last morning.

The Bribery Commission states that the suspects had allegedly demanded money while serving as witnesses in a case before the Welisara Magistrate’s Court under the Food Act, promising to act in a way favourable to the defence.

The complaint was lodged by a Ragama resident, who claimed the case involved a hotel registered under his son’s name.

The suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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The former Deputy Chairman of Continental Insurance Lanka Limited, Ganearachchige Deshankar Chaminda de Silva, was arrested on Tuesday (Dec. 9) by officers from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

He is accused of facilitating a bribe of Rs. 6,415,050 to D.H.L.W. Jayamanna, a former official of the Government Analyst’s Department, who was previously arrested on bribery charges.

The Bribery Commission said that the payment resulted in an undue benefit to the private insurance company and that de Silva supported and enabled the offense.

The suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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A former official of the Department of Fisheries and a staff member of the former Deputy Minister of Housing Construction, Indika Bandaranayake, have been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

According to the Bribery Commission, the arrest was made in connection with an investigation into a complaint that the suspects obtained Rs. 245,000 from an individual, claiming they could secure a job at the Ports Authority.

It is alleged that the suspects demanded a total bribe of Rs. 500,000 for the job, instructing the individual to first pay Rs. 250,000, with the remaining amount to be paid after the job is secured.

The suspects are scheduled to be presented before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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An Agricultural Research and Production Assistant has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 1.2 million to allocate a portion of state land for cultivation.

The arrest was made following a complaint lodged by a resident of the Mahawa area.

According to reports, the suspect had issued a receipt for lease payment on approximately 12 acres of a 20-acre plot of state land that had been unlawfully acquired and cultivated, in order to facilitate farming activities for the complainant.

A total of Rs. 3.5 million had been demanded for facilitating the necessary arrangements. Of this, Rs. 1 million had already been received, and from the remaining Rs. 2.5 million, Rs. 1.2 million was allegedly solicited and accepted as a bribe, leading to the arrest.

The suspect is identified as an Agricultural Research and Production Assistant attached to the Diyaluma Agrarian Services Centre.

He was apprehended at approximately 12:15 pm yesterday (16) inside a restaurant located along the Thanamalvila–Wellawaya main road, by officers of the Commission’s Investigation Division.

The arrested suspect is scheduled to be presented before the Wellawaya Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake said that legal action would be filed against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody if the Commission decides to proceed with such a decision.

Speaking at a media briefing today, Dissanayake clarified that the decision to prosecute or not under the Bribery Act rests with the three-member Commission, not the Director General. However, once a decision is made, it is his responsibility as DG to file the indictment based on the commission’s recommendation, he noted.

Dissanayake further said that the investigation related to Minister Jayakody had been in its final, confidential stages when information about it was prematurely leaked to the media, which, he said, disrupted the investigative process.

“The issue is the publication of the news. A report was released saying charges would be filed. I asked how this information came out,” Dissanayake said.

“At this point, the commission is still deliberating on the matter. A case may or may not be filed—that’s the commission’s decision. But a news story came out before any final decision. That itself can be grounds for investigation. If the commission decides to go ahead, I will file charges against Kumara Jayakody,” he stressed. (Newswire)

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The Bribery Commission has filed indictments before the Colombo High Court against Ramith Rambukwella, son of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

The charges relate to his failure to disclose how he acquired assets valued at over Rs. 270 million through unlawful means.

This case has been filed under the Anti-Corruption Act, as the accused had also served as the personal secretary to former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. (Newswire)

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The Bribery Commission has arrested a Police Constable for soliciting a bribe of Rs. 10,000.

According to the Bribery Commission, the Policeman was arrested yesterday based on a complaint filed by a businessman from Sainthamaruthu.

The Police Constable had solicited the bribe to refrain from filing a case against the businessman related to his revenue licence. 

The arrested Policeman is a Constable attached to the Karaitivu Police Station in the Ampara Division. 

The Police Constable is due to be produced before the Samanthurai Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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The Acting Director of the Police Cultural Division, SSP Sathish Gamage, was arrested by the Bribery Commission today.

It is reported that he has been taken into custody in connection with several incidents of accepting bribes and allegations of money laundering. (Newswire)

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An Assistant Manager of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA) has been detained over an allegation of soliciting bribes amounting to Rs. 1,050,000.

Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said, the officer of the SLFEA, a subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), was detained by the Investigation Division of the SLBFE. 

Commenting on the incident, he further said that this Government maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and will ensure full cooperation with the authorities to carry out a transparent investigation and protect public trust. (Newswire)

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An associate of former Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara who was arrested in connection with a corruption investigation earlier today, has been granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

The suspect, Shan Yahampath Gunarathne, was arrested by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning.

Gunarathne, who served as the minister’s private secretary, is accused of soliciting Rs. 4.3 million from an institution applying to conduct external training programs for officials of the Foreign Employment Bureau.

The allegations include improper involvement in the procurement process and exerting undue influence during the selection of the institution. (Newswire)

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