Western Province Housing Commissioner caught in the act

COLOMBO: The Western Province Housing Commissioner was nabbed red handed by the Bribery officials yesterday while accepting a bribe from a shop owner who had a dispute with his landlord.

The Director Investigations, Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption SSP Neville Guruge said the Commissioner had solicited a Rs. 60,000 bribe, promising the businessman to settle the dispute and let him continue his shop at the same place.

The complainant, the businessman managed a shop at Mirihana at a rented place. He had been in the place for over 40 years after inheriting his father's business.

The owner of the place wanted the building released from the shop owner. When attempts to evict the person failed, he made a complaint with the Western Province Housing Commissioner. The Commissioner allegedly solicited Rs. 60,000 from the businessman to let him carry on with his business despite the landlord's protests.

The Commissioner was nabbed by a five member team of bribery officials while being palmed off the bribe by the complainant businessman.

He was waiting in a boutique at Pagoda Road. Bribery officials produced the Housing Commissioner before the Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday where he was remanded.

The investigation team was headed by Commission's Authorised officer C.A. Gunawardena.