Bribery Commission probe: Rajapaksa’s former security chief remanded

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.   

Investigations had revealed that the suspect owns a 3.7-acre fuel station in Walasmulla, a house in Pallekelle constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.5 million, a residence in Nawinna, Maharagama valued at Rs. 12.5 million and another house worth Rs. 15.5 million in Dematagoda. He also owns a 45.5-perch hotel under construction in Tissamaharama, a land in Madivela, Kotte valued at Rs. 40 million and two shops in Beliatta and Weeraketiya taken on lease.  

The Commission stated that the inquiry commenced on the basis of a complaint received in 2016, and that although the suspect was given several notices to declare his assets and liabilities between 2016 and 2017, the details provided by him were found to be false or incomplete. Despite repeated reminders up to August 2025, the suspect had failed to provide the required information.  

According to the Bribery Commission, between January 1, 2013 and January 24, 2014, the suspect had acquired assets worth Rs. 28 million, far exceeding his legitimate income.  It was further revealed that the suspect had been generating income through renting buses and tipper trucks since 2017 but had failed to provide any related financial records or details of employees. Even though he submitted limited information in 2015, most of the persons he claimed were employed in his businesses were in fact close relatives and friends, the Commission told court.   

The Magistrate queried the Commission on how the suspect’s income was calculated, to which officials replied that the findings were based on extensive investigations carried out by the Commission and not on disclosures made by the suspect himself.  

Appearing for the suspect, President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis submitted that his client was an Army officer and that time was needed to gather details relating to his wife’s family background. Counsel argued that any delays were due to incomplete records, but that the suspect had already provided the Commission with the available documents, and had made several affidavits in this regard.  

After considering submissions, the Magistrate ordered the Bribery Commission to file a comprehensive report on the assets and directed that the suspect be further remanded until October 17.