Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday (17) ordered the further remand of retired Lieutenant Colonel Neville Wanniarachchi, former Personal Security Officer (PSO) to ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, until 31 October.
Wanniarachchi was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on suspicion of illegally acquiring assets and properties valued at around Rs. 28 million. He was produced in court by prison officials following his initial remand.
Lawyers representing the Bribery Commission told the court that the allegations relate to offences under Sections 23(a)(1) of the Bribery Act and Sections 127(1)(h) and (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023.
The Magistrate directed CIABOC to continue investigations and submit a detailed progress report by the next hearing. The order for further remand was issued after considering submissions from both the Bribery Commission and the defence counsel.
by AJA Abeynayake 