Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today (2) ordered the remand of retired Lieutenant Colonel Wanniarachchi Neville, who is the Personal Security Officer of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, until October 17, after he was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The retired army officer was produced before the court on charges of failing to explain how he acquired substantial assets and for not properly submitting his mandatory asset and liability declarations.
Arrested after an appearance at CIABOC
The Magistrate further directed CIABOC to present a comprehensive report on the properties allegedly acquired by the suspect, emphasizing the importance of a thorough investigation into the unexplained accumulation of wealth. According to court proceedings, Wanniarachchi had appeared before CIABOC yesterday morning to provide a statement. Following the recording of his testimony, he was placed under arrest and brought before the court.
When delivering the order, the Magistrate noted several aggravating factors, including the suspect’s prolonged failure to cooperate with investigators, his admission of guilt in five other ongoing cases related to undeclared assets, and his persistent disregard for legal obligations. Taking these into account, the court decided that remand custody was necessary until further details were presented.
Prosecutors charged the suspect under Section 23 (a)(1) of the Bribery Act as well as Sections 127 (1)(h) and (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023. Investigating officers, presenting their submissions at length, told the court that the suspect had consistently failed to provide proper declarations of assets and liabilities for nearly eight years. They added that while notices had been served repeatedly since 2014, he had avoided compliance on multiple occasions, frustrating the progress of the inquiry.
Millions worth of properties, including Fuel stations, hotels, and houses
According to CIABOC, Wanniarachchi is alleged to have amassed a considerable portfolio of properties across the country. These include a petrol filling station on a 3.7-acre property in Walasmulla, a house in Pallekele valued at Rs. 45 lakh, another residence in Nawinna, Maharagama, worth Rs. 125 lakh, and a house of similar value in Dematagoda. In addition, investigators highlighted a hotel under construction on 45.5 perches in Tissamaharama, a block of land in Madiwela, Kotte valued at Rs. 40 lakh, and two shops leased in the Beliatta and Weeraketiya areas. The suspect is also believed to own several buses, private vehicles, bank accounts, and additional commercial holdings.
The inquiry began in December 2016 when CIABOC received a complaint regarding the suspect’s undeclared wealth. He was initially instructed to submit his asset declarations between December 2016 and January 2017. However, after seven months, officials discovered that the details he submitted were false. He was subsequently asked to provide corrected information, but despite repeated reminders, he failed to do so. It was only in August 2025, nearly nine years later, that he presented some documents, which investigators later described as incomplete.
Rs. 28 million in unexplained income
Evidence presented to the court indicated that between January 1, 2013, and January 24, 2014, the suspect had earned an additional Rs. 28 million in unexplained income. Notices repeatedly served by the Commission during this period yielded incomplete or misleading responses. When called again on September 26, 2025, he requested more time, citing difficulties in gathering records, instead of producing the necessary documents.
Investigators further testified that attempts to contact the suspect had been deliberately obstructed. When a team of CIABOC officers visited his residence in Medamulana, he was absent. When contacted by telephone, the suspect disconnected the call. On one occasion, when the line remained open, he requested a new date within 52 seconds before ending the call. Though formally directed to appear through written notice, he failed to comply, further delaying the proceedings.
Officials also revealed that Wanniarachchi had earned revenue from renting buses and tippers, but he failed to provide proper employment records for those working under him. For the year 2015, he submitted only partial details, stating that apart from two employees, others involved were relatives or friends. Investigators insisted that their statements also need to be recorded as part of the probe. They stressed that the suspect had repeatedly obstructed inquiries and used delaying tactics for nearly a decade.
During the hearing, Magistrate Bodaragama questioned how the investigators had calculated the suspect’s undisclosed income. CIABOC officers explained that a series of extensive investigations, including examination of available bank records, property registries, and business income, had revealed the inconsistencies. The Magistrate observed that the matter was highly complex, and that further inquiries should include verification of Road Passenger Transport Authority licenses as well as statements from drivers and conductors employed under the suspect’s bus operations.
Requires additional time, counsel for the suspect argues
Counsel for the suspect, President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, argued that his client, being a former military officer, required additional time to gather documents, particularly those concerning his wife’s family. He said the suspect had already submitted several affidavits in connection with his properties and had informed CIABOC on September 26 that he would provide as many documents as possible, despite admitting that his records were incomplete. The defense maintained that their client had not intentionally misled investigators but had faced difficulty in compiling the required information.
After considering all submissions, Magistrate Bodaragama ordered that the suspect remain in remand custody until October 17. He also instructed CIABOC to produce a detailed report on the properties and financial assets under investigation at the next hearing, emphasizing that a full accounting of the suspect’s wealth was necessary for the case to proceed.
This keeps the court-reporting tone, flows smoothly like a long newspaper feature, and maintains all the intricate details about the assets, timeline, evasions, and courtroom exchanges.
