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 Technical Officer of the Alayadivembu Pradeshiya Sabha was arrested yesterday on bribery allegations following a raid by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

According to the Bribery Commission, the officer had solicited and obtained Rs. 40,000 from a complainant, Rs. 20,000 each for two contracts, linked to drainage construction at a public playground and the release of retention money for a shop construction project in Akkarapattu.

In addition, the suspect had demanded Rs. 100,000 as a loan from the complainant, requesting and receiving a cheque for the same amount.

The arrest was made around 1.55 pm yesterday (10) at the complainant’s business premises. 

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

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A technical officer of the Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha’s Welisara sub‑office was arrested yesterday (07) by the Bribery Commission for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000 to approve a building plan despite its shortcomings.

According to the Bribery Commission, the arrest was made following a complaint lodged by a resident of Ragama.

The suspect had pointed out deficiencies in the complainant’s building plan in Welisara, but allegedly demanded and accepted the money to overlook those shortcomings and grant approval. 

He was arrested at around 3.50 pm yesterday (07 Jan) at the Welisara sub‑office of the Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha while receiving the bribe.

The Bribery Commission further stated that the suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (08 Jan). (Newswire)

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