'Electricity bill' shocks Principal with indictment

Sandasen Marasinghe

Indictment has been filed against former Principal of Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda for accepting a bribe in February 2008 to admit a child.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed indictment before Colombo High Court against Principal of Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya, A.L. Sriyani Chandrika of Pannipitiya for demanding and accepting a gratification of Rs 15,000 to admit the child of a woman soldier Samanthi Deepika Gamage to the school.

Sumana Galagedara of Thalgahawatta Mawatha, Boralesgamuwa also was charged with the same indictment for aiding and abetting the Principal to accept the bribe.

According to the statement made by Deepika Gamage to the Bribery Commission her husband was also a soldier.

She went to the school in December 2007 with her child for the interview to admit the child to the school.

Her daughter could not obtain sufficient marks at the interview and Deepika made an appeal.

Later when she went to school with her husband, the Principal had inquired what could they grant to the school to admit the child.

When Deepika asked the Principal what she wanted, the Principal said Rs 15,000 to settle the electricity bill of the school. The Principal asked them to come back with the money and thereafter they made a complaint to the Bribery Commission.