Acting Director of the Cultural Division (Administration) of the Police Field Force Headquarters, SSP Sathish Ranjan Hiyare Gamage, has been remanded until 19 August over an alleged large-scale bribery scheme uncovered by the Bribery Commission.
Allegations and Modus Operandi:
- Offences allegedly took place while he served in Galle and Embilipitiya police divisions.
- Three bank accounts were opened under the name of SSP Sathish’s friend, Anura Nanayakkara, a resident of the officer’s home village.
- Funds allegedly deposited into these accounts by:
- Organised criminals and other offenders.
- Owners of illegal businesses such as unlicensed transport services.
- Individuals seeking police protection or favourable treatment.
- Deposits allegedly made over Rs 14 million within eight months.
- Deposits reportedly made by:
- Officer’s bodyguard (over 100 occasions).
- Officer’s driver (50 occasions, totalling over Rs 14 million).
- Several drug traffickers, including those overseas and well-known local suspects like Amila Paranavithana.
- Investigations revealed additional personal bank accounts linked to the officer with similar suspicious deposits.
- Wife of SSP Sathish allegedly confirmed details of the scheme during questioning.
- Anura Nanayakkara provided a affidavit claiming the officer pressured him not to reveal the scheme.
Court Proceedings:
- The Bribery Commission argued remand was necessary due to the risk of witness intimidation and incomplete investigations.
- Defence argued there was no legal basis to remand solely on a affidavit, citing Supreme Court precedent.
- Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana ordered remand until 19 August, noting the ongoing investigation and possible interference with witnesses.
