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Two more Customs officials under investigation for soliciting a Rs. 125 mn bribe
View(s):Two more Customs officials allegedly involved in soliciting a Rs 125 million bribe from a vehicle spare parts importer are being investigated by the Commission to Investigate Allegation of Bribery or Corruption, officials said. These two officials were not present when three other officials, a Customs Superintendent, Deputy Customs Superintendent and Assistant Customs Superintendent were arrested at the time they received the money.
These three officials who are in custody have been sent on compulsory leave and will be interdicted only after charges are filed against them, Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said. He said that the Customs would also conduct its own internal inquiry into the allegations after charges are filed.
The three Customs officers currently in remand custody will be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate on Friday.
The officials had reportedly informed the importer that spare parts valued at Rs 1.5 billion could be released without payment of duty if they were given Rs. 150 million.