Bonavista College principal remanded for school admission bribery

Ranjith Fonseka, the 54-year-old principal of Bonavista College in Rumassala, Unawatuna, has been remanded following his arrest for accepting bribes related to student admissions. The arrest was conducted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) at a restaurant in Katugoda, Habaraduwa.

According to a complaint filed by a parent, Fonseka initially demanded 600,000 LKR to secure admissions for two children for the 2026 academic year. The requested amount was later reduced to 300,000 LKR, of which 150,000 LKR had reportedly been paid. The complainant further alleged that the principal threatened to remove the children from the school if the remaining balance was not settled.

Officers apprehended Fonseka while he was accepting a payment of 250,000 LKR. He was produced before the Galle Magistrate's Court, where Magistrate Sameera Dodangoda ordered him to be remanded until the 15th.