Woman demanded as a bribe

Sandasen Marasinghe

COLOMBO: A Sub Inspector of Police has demanded and accepted a woman as a bribe, the Colombo High Court was told yesterday.

According to the case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption SI Ruwan Alawatta demanded on January 21, 2003, a woman and Rs 2,500 as an incentive for not taking legal steps against a hotel in Bambalapitiya.

The charges stated that the suspect attached to the Narahenpita police station had demanded the gratification from Rani Ramadas pretending he was attached to the Dematagoda Special Unit.

Ramadas a resident of Vihara Mawatha, Sudhuhuppala, Kandy in her statement to the Bribery Commission stated that Alawatta once met her at ?La Grand Hotel? in Bambalapitiya where she was employed. He has said that he was an officer of the Dematagoda Special Unit and demanded a woman and Rs 2500 for not taking legal action against them.

Her employer made the complaint to the Dematagoda Special Unit which revealed that Alawatta was not attached to it and in turn informed the matter to the Bribery Commission with the help of IP Pradeep Perera.

According to the statement Alawatta asked Ramadas to come to Borella with Rs 2500, where he was taken into custody.