CEA Chief suspended following arrest on bribery charge

Central Environment Authority (CEA) Chairman Supun Shashendra Pathirage, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), has been suspended from service.

Environment Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that this suspension applies with immediate effect.

Three persons including the Chairman of the Central Environment Authority were arrested by officers of the Bribery Commission for soliciting a bribe of Rs. 10 million. They had reportedly accepted the bribe within the premises of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry for a project being carried out by the CEA.

However, the suspects were ordered to be remanded in custody until Monday after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Saturday.