Artist arrested for soliciting bribes from principal, Air Force officer

Colombo, July 25 (Daily Mirror) - An artist who allegedly demanded Rs. 30,000 each as a bribe from a school principal and a Sri Lanka Air Force officer has been arrested by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

The arrest was made following complaints lodged by a principal from Mathugama and an Air Force officer from Ahungalla.

The suspect, identified as Kankanam Liyana Pathiranage Vinod Tharanga, a resident of Dodangoda, was arrested on Thursday night near the Mathugama bus stand at the Katukurunda junction. He is accused of impersonating a connection to the Bribery Commission to solicit bribes.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had promised to provide a letter claiming that an inquiry into alleged corruption involving the principal would not proceed, and that the case file would be returned in exchange for a payment of Rs. 30,000. He allegedly stated that the money would be given to officers of the Commission and asked that the amount be deposited into his personal bank account.

In a similar scheme, the Sri Lanka Air Force officer was told that he was at risk of arrest in connection with a separate investigation. The suspect allegedly demanded Rs. 30,000 to prevent the arrest and promised to provide an official letter to that effect.

The suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court