News Today: Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue arrested for bribery Sri Lanka 2025

In a significant move highlighting ongoing anti-corruption efforts in Sri Lanka, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested a Deputy Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) yesterday (7 July). The senior official was apprehended for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000 from a businessman based in Piliyandala.

According to CIABOC, the arrest followed a formal complaint by the businessman whose company, located on Kolonnawa Road, Dematagoda, had applied for a tax clearance certificate for the year 2025. During the review process, the businessman was reportedly informed of tax arrears totaling Rs. 1.1 million from previous years.

The suspect allegedly demanded an initial bribe of Rs. 100,000 to remove these tax arrears and expedite the issuance of the tax clearance certificate. After discussions, the bribe amount was reduced to Rs. 50,000. The complainant paid Rs. 42,000 on 3 July, with the balance Rs. 8,000 scheduled to be handed over yesterday.

CIABOC officials, acting on the complaint, arrested the Deputy Commissioner at the Urban Branch office of the IRD on Jawatta Road, Colombo, at the moment he accepted the final Rs. 8,000 installment.

This arrest sheds light on the persistent challenges within government institutions despite ongoing reforms. The tax clearance certificate is critical for businesses, especially when bidding for contracts or seeking financial support, making them vulnerable to such demands.

CIABOC confirmed that further investigations are underway to determine if other officials or similar incidents are linked to this case. The Commission urged the public to report any suspicious activities or unethical requests by government officers to help build a more transparent public service.

The arrest has sparked significant public discussion, with citizens demanding stricter enforcement and systemic reforms to prevent corruption in tax administration and other public services.