Traffic Cop remanded for bribery

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Lasantha Niroshana   

A traffic Police Sergeant attached to the Kahawatte Police Station was remanded after being arrested on Saturday by officers of the Bribery Commission for allegedly accepting a bribe from a lorry driver for transporting illicit timber.   

The Police said that the Sergeant had accepted Rs.12,500 as a bribe.   

They said the Sergeant had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs.25,000 from the lorry driver, who was transporting timber illegally in the Kahawatte area, to release the lorry without legal action. The suspect had obtained Rs.12,500 from the driver and kept the driver’s licence to be released after receiving the balance payment. The BC officers arrested the suspect while accepting the balance payment from the driver at Walladura.   

The Sergeant was remanded till February 28 when he is to be produced at the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court.