Three Motor Traffic Department officials granted bail

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, July 04 (Daily Mirror)- The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed court that all CCTV footage recorded at the Narahenpita branch of the Department of Motor Traffic between April 9 and May 29 had been deleted. 

This was revealed today when the matter was taken up for the consideration of bail for the suspects.

Subsequently, the Deputy Commissioner of the Narahenpita branch of the Department of Motor Traffic and two other suspects were released on bail.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga granted each of the suspects cash bail of Rs. 25,000 and two sureties of Rs. 2 million each.

The court also issued an order prohibiting the suspects from entering the Department of Motor Traffic.

This case stems from a covert operation launched by CIABOC following a tip-off regarding irregular practices at the Narahenpita branch. After weeks of surveillance, officers conducted a surprise raid on May 23. During the raid, they reportedly discovered over Rs. 3.9 million in cash hidden in a cupboard in the Deputy Commissioner’s office, while a further Rs. 200,000 was allegedly found in a clerk’s bag.

The three suspects, Deputy Commissioner Dilan Nuwan Kumara, Assistant Manager Pradeep Nishantha and Clerk Samantha Perera were arrested.