Bribery Suspect Remanded Over School Admission Scandal 📈

• Overview: A suspect, Ruwan Chaminda Soysa, has been remanded until January 20, 2026, for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs. 300,000 to facilitate a Grade 1 admission at Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo. • The Incident: The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) conducted a sting operation at Thimbirigasyaya, arresting the suspect while he was reportedly accepting a balance payment of Rs. 200,000. • Key Figures: Total Bribe Demanded: Rs. 300,000 Initial Payment: Rs. 100,000 Balance Intercepted: Rs. 200,000 • Legal Argument: Defense counsel argued the payment was intended for securing a residential address near the school rather than a bribe. However, the suspect remains in custody pending further investigation into violations under the Bribery Act. • Context: This case highlights ongoing transparency challenges within the education sector, specifically regarding the competitive admission process for premier national schools in Sri Lanka.