Web of Life

A Gramasevaka from Pottuvil district was Monday (25), remanded by the Colombo Chief Magistrate for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs. 20,000, to release tsunami aid, granted to a homeless tsunami victim.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena remanded the suspect Adamlebbe Mohamed Haroun of Area 15, Kalapukattu, Pottuvil, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission while allegedly accepting the bribe.

Police Sergeant Chandrasiri of the Commission to Investigate into Allegation of Bribery or Corruption informed court that the suspect was arrested following a complaint by Pallithambi Kapul of Pakyawatte, Pottuvil, who had been recommended to receive relief.

According to investigations, the complainant had been made homeless by the tsunami. Later, he had built a temporary house with Rs 30,000 given by the mosque in the area. Last April, the suspect Gramasevaka along with the Pottuvil Divisional Secretary, had visited his house and informed him that Government relief had been received but, was not eligible, as he already had a house. The complainant had petitioned the Divisional Secretariat and was recommended to be granted the relief.

Following this recommendation, a person working under the suspect Gramasevaka had informed the complainant that Rs. 100,000 had been allocated for him and that he had to give Rs. 20,000 to the Gramasevaka, for the release of the funds. The complainant had handed over the necessary documents, with Rs 5,000 as bribe, when he was informed that he would have to give the rest of the bribe, to receive the grant.

The complainant had informed the Bribery Commission and, using a decoy, the suspect was arrested while accepting the bribe.

The court refused to grant bail to the suspect and ordered him remanded till August 1.

(http://www.dailymirror.lk/2005/07/27/news/1.asp)