Bribery sleuths yesterday arrested the Principal of a school in Kotahena on a charge of bribery.

The suspect principal is alleged to have solicited a bribe of Rs 5,000 for the admission of a pupil to Grade Nine in the school for 2009.

According to SSP Neville Guruge, Director Investigations, Commission to Investigate Allegations Against Bribery and Corruption, the pupil’s mother had complained to the Commission that the suspect had solicited a bribe of Rs. 5,000 to admit her child to the school, but reduced the amount to Rs. 4,000 after much pleading.

"He had asked the parent to bring the money to his office on Monday and a team of Investigating Officers was detailed to go to the school. The suspect was arrested when he accepted the bribe," Guruge claimed.