World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Forest Official Arrested Over Alleged Bribery at Wellawaya Range
A forest field assistant has been arrested by anti-corruption authorities in connection with allegations that he accepted bribes to permit unauthorized cultivation on State land. The suspect is accused of receiving payments on multiple occasions in exchange for allowing illegal farming activity.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested the forest field assistant, who was attached to the Wellawaya Range Forest Office, following an investigation into the matter. According to authorities, the suspect allegedly obtained money from an individual on several occasions in exchange for permitting the person to continue cultivating approximately three acres of State-owned land without authorization.
The arrest marks the latest in a series of investigations into alleged corruption within forestry management services. Officials from CIABOC have not released further details regarding the specific amount of money allegedly exchanged or the exact dates of the alleged transactions.
The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue. Authorities are examining whether additional individuals may have been involved in the alleged scheme or whether similar arrangements existed with other parties seeking to use State forest land for agricultural purposes.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about unauthorized land use and the enforcement of regulations protecting State forests across the country. The matter is likely to proceed to judicial proceedings once the investigation phase is completed.