PHI officer arrested for accepting Rs. 200,000 bribe

A Public Health Inspector (PHI) has been arrested for soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 200,000.

According to the Bribery Commission, the PHI officer was arrested for soliciting a bribe to renew the licence of a hotel in Dambulla.

Officials from the Bribery Commission arrested the PHI officer in Galewala yesterday (Feb 14).

He is a Public Health Inspector attached to the Galewala Office of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH).

The PHI officer was arrested based on a complaint filed by a resident of Ibbagamuwa who owns the hotel in question with his close associates. 

Upon inspection of the hotel, the PHI officer is alleged to have solicited a bribe to give the letter with the recommendation related to the renewal of the hotel licence to the local authorities. (Islandnews)