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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