Four police officers have been released on bail following their arrest over allegations of accepting a Rs. 500,000 bribe from a cannabis plantation owner in the Monaragala district.

The Wellawaya Magistrate's Court has granted bail to four police officers who were arrested on suspicion of soliciting a bribe during an anti-corruption operation. Each suspect was ordered to post a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 alongside two surety bails totalling Rs. 200,000 each.

The arrests stemmed from a raid conducted by the Monaragala Divisional Anti-Corruption Unit at a cannabis plantation in Nikawewa, within the Thanamalwila Police Division. According to police statements, investigators discovered that the officers had allegedly obtained Rs. 500,000 from the plantation owner during the operation.

The four suspects comprise two police sergeants, a police constable, and a police constable driver, all attached to the anti-corruption unit. The Thanamalwila Headquarters Police are continuing their investigation into the allegations of bribery, which raises questions about oversight within units tasked with enforcing the law.