Police constable remanded over alleged Rs. 200,000 bribery attempt

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, August 12 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara refused bail to a Police constable attached to the Western Province North Crimes Division, who had allegedly attempted to solicit a bribe of Rs. 200,000 from a three-wheeler driver in exchange for refraining from filing charges based on a false allegation that narcotics were found in his home.

The Police Constable Amila Manahara Hettiarachchi, attached to the Western Province North Crimes Division, was ordered to be further remanded.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption informed court that preliminary investigations into the incident had been completed.

Appearing for the suspect, the defence counsel submitted that two other suspects connected to the incident had already been released on bail and therefore requested that his client too be granted bail. He further stated that since preliminary investigations had been concluded, the court should consider the special circumstances of his client and release him on a suitable bail.

The Additional Magistrate observed that although preliminary investigations have been concluded, there were no special circumstances to justify granting bail. 

Accordingly, the suspect was ordered to be further remanded till August 19.

Two other Police Constables involved in the incident, Tharusha Amarasinghe and Delshe had earlier been released on bail.

The suspects were arrested following a complaint lodged with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption by a three-wheeler driver from the Ragama area.

Investigators informed court that the two Police Constables had falsely alleged that 50 grams of heroin were found in the complainant’s residence and had demanded Rs. 500,000 from him in exchange for refraining from filing charges before court. The complainant had negotiated the amount down to Rs. 200,000 and had paid Rs. 20,000 to the two Constables.

It was further revealed in court that, until the balance payment of Rs. 180,000 was made, the two Constables had taken the complainant’s wife’s passport with them.