Based on a complaint made by a person of Gonagolla, Investigation Officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested a Beat Forest Officer and a Forest Field Assistant on allegations of accepting bribes of Rs. 40,000/- and Rs. 60,000/- respectively. The two suspects have solicited and accepted the bribe in exchange for not taking legal action against the complainant for sand mining in the Samangala forest reserve and maintaining a cattle barn there. The two officers attached to the Ampara Wildlife Office were arrested on 18.12.2024.

The first suspect was arrested at around 4.15 p.m. near his residence and the second suspect was arrested at around 7.10 p.m. near a boutique close to the complainant’s residence. The arrested suspects are to be produced before the court.