Bribery Commission Arrests Housing Official in Galle

COLOMBO (News 1st); A technical officer attached to the Galle Housing Development Authority has been arrested by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000 in connection with a government housing aid program.

According to the Commission, the officer had demanded the bribe in exchange for providing the necessary technical support and recommendation required to release a Rs. 1 million housing assistance grant to a beneficiary.

The complainant had already received the first installment of Rs. 146,000, during which the officer allegedly accepted Rs. 25,000 as a bribe. The remaining amount was reportedly solicited to facilitate the release of the balance funds.

The suspect was arrested this morning at the Development Division of the Niyagama Divisional Secretariat, while accepting the second installment of the bribe.

He is expected to be produced before the Baddegama Magistrate’s Court.