CIABOC effects first private sector crackdown on bribery

• Arrests hotel accountant in Habarana for soliciting sexual bribe from female employee

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) conducted the first crackdown on bribery in the private sector under the powers conferred by the new Anti-Corruption Act.

The Commission said the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023 has empowered the Bribery Commission to address bribery in the private sector, overriding powers that previously applied only to bribery or corruption in the public sector.

The first raid on a bribery offence in the private sector was conducted by the officials on Friday with the approval of the Commission.

They arrested an accountant, who is also the Human Resources Manager of a private hotel, for allegedly soliciting a sexual bribe from a female employee.

The arrest was made based on a complaint filed by a resident of Mahawilachchiya.

The female employee, working in a private hotel, was allegedly promised full payment of 75% of the current service charges, along with arrangements for her employment to be confirmed by higher officials, in the future.

She was also assured that necessary arrangements would be made to allow her to continue her work without any problems.

In return, the accountant of the hotel allegedly brought her to a room in a private hotel in Habarana to have sex.

The Bribery Commission officials arrested the suspect who is to be produced before the Kekirawa Magistrate›s Court.