The three customs officers who were arrested while accepting a bribe of Rs. 125 million from a businessman have been further remanded until November 25 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
When the case was taken up at court today attorneys representing the defendants requested that the suspects be released on bail, however the bribery commission stated that their release on bail would hinder ongoing investigations.
The commission also informed court that statements have been recorded from 12 persons regarding the incident and that statements will be recorded from another 7 individuals. The bribery commission is also investigating 2 other customs officers over their involvement in the bribe.
After considering the facts presented, Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya ordered the suspects further remanded until November 25 and instructed bribery commission officers to submit a report on the progress of investigations.
Customs Superintendent Sujeewa Parakrama Jinadasa, Deputy Customs Superintendent Jagath Gunathilake and Assistant Customs Superintendent M.D.U.G. Perera were arrested while soliciting the largest ever recorded bribe nabbed by the Commission to Investigate Allegation of Bribery or Corruption on October 15.
