Former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda arrested

Colombo, July 03 (Daily Mirror) - The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested former Navy Commander Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda in connection with an ongoing investigation into the recruitment of Yoshitha Rajapaksa to the Sri Lanka Navy.

The investigation centres on allegations that the standard recruitment qualifications for executive officers were altered to facilitate the enlistment of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Investigators further allege that public funds were misused to finance his training at the Britannia Royal Naval College in the United Kingdom.

Karannagoda had previously been summoned to appear before the Bribery Commission on June 16 to record a statement regarding his role in the recruitment process. However, he did not appear, stating that he had not formally received the summons.

The probe has already led to the arrest of Yoshitha Rajapaksa on June 17. After being produced before court, he was released on bail on three personal sureties of Rs. 5 million each.