10 Years RI for accepting Rs 190,000 bribe

Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga this week sentenced an official of the State Timber Corporation (STC) to 10 years Rigorous Imprisonment, after he was found guilty of accepting a bribe of Rs 190,000 to issue a permit for the transport of timber.

STC Assistant Regional Manager Dhanushka Sampath was arrested in December 2012, following a complaint lodged against him by the man from whom he had demanded the bribe.

Mr Sampath was found guilty on two counts of accepting a bribe of Rs 100,000 as part of the full payment of Rs 190,000 he had demanded, and was sentenced to 5 years RI for each offence. He was also fined Rs 5,000 and imposed a penalty of Rs 100,000. Failure to pay this would entail an additional three years in prison.

Meanwhile, complainant Don Ravi Somasinghe of Haputale had lied to court saying no bribe was sought by the convicted man. However, as his initial complaint to the Bribery Commission was corroborated by other witnesses, it led to the conviction of the accused.

The HC judge asked the Court Registrar to file charges against the complainant for giving false evidence. The prosecution was led by Bribery Commission Assistant Director (Legal) Anutthara Jayasisnghe.