School principal nabbed for soliciting bribe

Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: Director Investigations of the Bribery Commission SSP Neville Guruge yesterday cautioned school principals to refrain from seeking bribes from parents to facilitate their children's grade one admission, as he had received a large number of complaints in this regard.

SSP Neville Guruge said the Principal of Wickremashila National School in Giriulla was arrested yesterday while receiving Rs. 40,000 as bribe from a mother to facilitate her child's grade one admission.

"The child's mother complained to us as the school principal sought a Rs.40,000 bribe from her to admit the child to grade one next year," SSP Guruge added.

The school principal had sought this bribe from the parents despite the child fulfilling all requirements to be admitted to the grade one next year.

"Our investigation officers arrested the school principal while receiving Rs.40,000 from the child's mother," SSP Guruge added.

He said he has received a large number of complaints about school principals seeking bribes from parents since this is the period where interviews are held for the grade one admissions next year.

"We have taken steps to inquire all those complaints and all those who found guilty will be arrested," he added. The arrested principal was to be produced before the Court yesterday afternoon.