PHI remanded for soliciting bribe to renew trade licence

By Bhagya Silva

A Public Health Inspector (PHI) from Galewela, accused of soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 200,000 from a businessman to renew a trade licence, has been remanded till March 11 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali yesterday.
The suspect, Susantha Isuru Rathnayake Bandara, was arrested following a complaint lodged with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) by a businessman from Galewela.
Following his arrest, the suspect was presented before the Dambulla Magistrate’s Court on February 15, where he was initially remanded. The Prison officials produced him yesterday before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court where CIABOC officers informed the court that further investigations into the incident were ongoing. 
The prosecution stated that the complainant had requested the renewal of his trade licence for 2025, and the PHI had allegedly solicited a bribe to expedite the process.
After considering the submissions, the Chief Magistrate ordered the suspect to be further remanded and instructed CIABOC to present the progress of the investigation to the court on March 11.