The Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Supun Shashendra Pathirage, who was arrested over a bribery charge has been suspended from his position.
Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Dr. Anil Jasinghe confirmed that Pathirage's suspension, which goes into effect immediately, was necessary due to the seriousness of the charge against him.
The suspension will remain in place pending the outcome of the investigations and legal proceedings.
Pathirage was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is facing allegations of soliciting a bribe of Rs. 10 million.
The arrests were made in connection to the alleged solicitation and acceptance of a bribe within the premises of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. The bribe was intended to influence a project being conducted by the CEA.
Following their arrest, the suspects were produced before the Colombo Magistrate's Court and have been remanded till Monday, November 13.
