In this May 17, 2010 file photo Lankan army personnel walking through heavy showers in Colombo.

The Red Cross in Sri Lanka said on Monday it was investigating a claim that one of its staff demanded sexual favors from a woman in return for providing her with a grant as part of an Indian government-sponsored scheme for war-displaced people.

Mahieash Johnney, senior manager for communications of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Sri Lanka, said the accused staff member had taken voluntary leave pending the outcome of the probe.

“We received a written complaint from a woman in Kilinochchi district in early October who claimed a Red Cross technical officer had asked for sexual favors in return for providing a cash grant to build a new house,” said Johnney.

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