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Five years RI for accepting bribes

by Indeewara Thilakaratne

Colombo High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya last Thursday sentenced G. M. Duminda, a police officer to 5 years rigorous imprisonment for soliciting and accepting bribes from persons engaged in illegal gem mining on state land.

The High Court Judge also imposed a fine of Rs. 2500 on the second count and another of Rs. 2000 on the third count and the term of one year RI in default.

In this case, G. M. Duminda, a police officer was charged with soliciting and accepting bribes of Rs. 2000 each from M. Ratnayaka, Weerasekara, Udagahawatte and Gunasinghe Banda who were engaged in gem mining in land belonging to the government in Balangoda on or around October 31, 1995.

Ranjith Abesuriya PC, Counsel for the accused police officer stated that the accused had an unblemished career in the Police until committing this offence and is a father of two children.

C. Jayasekara, Counsel for the Bribery Commission stated that the accused police officer had solicited and accepted bribes for omission of his duty. The accused police officer was the law imposing officer in the area to prevent such illegal activities. Therefore the Counsel requested the Court to impose maximum punishment on the accused police officer.

Delivering the judgement, High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya stated that the accused officer was the officer to prevent such illegal activities in the area. The police officer had in charge solicited and accepted bribes for omission of his duty. The High Court Judge imposed 5 year RI on the first count and imposed fine of Rs. 2500 on the second count and another of Rs. 2000 on the third count and one year RI in default. First, second and the third counts to be served concurrently.

Rajith Abesuriya appeared for the accused police officer while C. Jayasekara appeared for the Bribery Commission.

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