The OIC of the Special Investigations Unit of the Excise Department Rosmond Fernando who was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs.50,000 from a businessman was remanded till August 12 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

The businessman, who is alleged to have bribed the Excise Department OIC, is involved in illegal toddy production in Kalutara and he has approached the Excise official to avoid legal action.

The Bribery Commission alleged that OIC had obtained a sum of Rs.500,000 on a previous occasion and arrested while accepting the rest amount at Mobitel head office in Colombo 2.

The Excise officer was arrested by a special Police team yesterday.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, an unidentified group fired gunshots at the house of Rosmond Fernando in May. Speaking to media soon after the incident Special Investigation Unit OIC Rosmand Fernando said that his home was shot at on two occasions.