Revenue Deputy Commissioner arrested for accepting Rs. 200,000 bribe

Colombo, Oct 16 (Daily Mirror) - A Provincial Revenue Department Deputy Commissioner in the Eastern Province was arrested on bribery charges after accepting a bribe of Rs. 200,000.

The Bribery Commission said the arrest was made at the Batticaloa office, following a complaint by a resident. 

According to the Commission, the complainant had purchased a 65-perch land in Batticaloa for Rs. 10 million, having already paid Rs. 600,000 in stamp duty.

However, after the land's value was re-evaluated by the Provincial Revenue Department at Rs. 26.5 million, the complainant was informed that he owed an additional Rs. 850,000 in duty and fines.

The Deputy Commissioner allegedly offered to reduce the payment to Rs. 200,000 in exchange for a bribe.

The arrested official is scheduled to appear before the Batticaloa Magistrate's Court.