Bribery Commission probe: RAJAPAKSA'S FORMER SECURITY CHIEF REMANDED

Neville Wanni Arachchi, former chief security officer of ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission, was ordered to be remanded till October 17 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S Bodaragama yesterday.

- By BHAGYA SILVA

Neville Wanni Arachchi, former chief security officer of ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission, was ordered to be remanded till October 17 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S Bodaragama yesterday.

He was produced in court over allegations that he had acquired assets and properties exceeding Rs. 28 million which could not be accounted for through his declared income.

The Magistrate observed that the suspect had failed to cooperate with the investigation over a long period, had cases pending in respect of five separate properties and had acted in defiance of repeated court directives. Taking these matters into account, the Magistrate ordered that the suspect be remanded.

The Magistrate further directed the Bribery Commission to file a detailed report on the assets alleged to have been illegally acquired by the suspect.

The Bribery Commission informed court that the suspect had failed to file his assets and liabilities declaration for the year 2014 and that during the eight year long investigation, he had repeatedly evaded inquiries.