GS in bribery net

Rafik JALALDEEN

DAMBULLA: A Grama Sevaka officer was nabbed by Bribery sleuths while accepting a gratification of Rs. 8,000 from a farmer to obtain a permit to acquire a State land in Nikawatawena, Dambulla.

The Grama Sevaka attached to the Dambulla Divisional Secretariat had solicited the bribe from the farmer to grant him a permit to cultivate at a State land, Director of Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption SSP Neville Guruge told the Daily News.

According to SSP Guruge, the Grama Sevaka had asked the farmer to immediately obtain the permit. The farmer made an application for the permit following the Grama Sevaka’s order and was made to part with Rs.3,000 as an advance payment.

The farmer who was due to pay the balance Rs.5,000 yesterday to secure the permit tipped off the Bribery Commission.

Bribery Commission investigators apprehended the Grama Sevaka while accepting the money from the farmer, SSP Guruge said.

The suspect was produced before Dambulla Magistrate yesterday.