PS member hauled for bribery

Sandasen MARASINGHE

COLOMBO: The Bribery Commission has filed a case against a member of the Ja-Ela Pradeshiya Sabha for allegedly accepting a gratification in return for not cancelling a tender of a contractor.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption filed the case against Pradeshiya Sabha member H. K. Chrishantha Caldera for accepting a bribe of Rs. 40,000 from K.K.D. Madura Chintha on October 4, 2005.

According to the indictment, Caldera had demanded the inducement to allow Chintha to demolish an old building on the Ja-Ela Railway Station road in accordance with the tender bid.

In a statement by Chintha to the Bribery Commission, the latter stated that he was a contractor and wanted to apply for a tender notice of the Ja-Ela Pradeshiya Sabha.

When he went to the Pradeshiya Sabha Caldera told him not to apply for the tender as he wanted one of his (Caldera's) friend to obtain the contract.

Chintha said he applied for the tender using the name of one of his friends and subsequently and obtained the contract. Caldera demanded Rs. 40,000 from Chintha informing that if he failed to do so he (Caldera) would cancel the tender. Chintha informed the matter to the Bribery Commission.