Seventy-six police officers of the Anuradhapura Divisional Traffic Branch has been transferred with effect from October 31 under the orders of DIG Padmalal Sandungahawatta.
The transfers are said to have been ordered as punishment due to two constables attached to the Thirappane Police Traffic Division soliciting a bribe of Rs 2,000 earlier this week.
The two police constables were arrested on charges of having solicited a bribe from a lorry driver in Anuradhapura. According to sources, the lorry driver had complained to the North Central Province DIG after he receiving notices for a traffic offence even after the two constables had accepted the bribe.
While the two constables were later interdicted the DIG is said to have ordered the transfer of all Police officers attached to the Divisional Traffic Branch.
However, the decision has come under criticism within the Police force as officers not involved in the incident have been penalized for the actions two errant Police officers.