(Sri Lanka Brief/02 October 2005) Neville Wanniarachchi, the former Chief Security Officer to ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. The arrest was made on charges of non-cooperation with an ongoing investigation into his assets.
In 2018, Wanniarachchi pleaded guilty before Colombo Additional Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali for failing to submit mandatory asset declarations over a five-year period from 2010 to 2014. At the time, he was fined a mere Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 5,000 for each year of non-compliance.
Despite his admission of guilt, authorities did not pursue a comprehensive investigation into the origins of his undeclared wealth. Subsequent revelations indicate that Wanniarachchi owns 12 passenger buses, 8 tipper trucks, and 3 petrol stations. Additionally, he is alleged to have concealed funds across 32 commercial banks and 47 financial institutions.
Under Sri Lankan law, the Bribery Commission holds the authority to prosecute individuals for unlawfully acquired assets and initiate proceedings to recover such property.