The court today (31) ordered the release of Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Neville Wanniarachchi, the former Chief Security Officer to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on bail. He had been in remand custody regarding a case involving the accumulation of assets exceeding Rs. 28 million that cannot be accounted for by legitimate sources of income.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama issued the order for the suspect's release on a Rs. 50,000 cash bail and three personal sureties of Rs. 1 million each.

The court also issued an order banning the suspect from traveling overseas and directed that the Controller of Immigration and Emigration be informed.

Prison officials produced the suspect before the court this morning (31).

Officials appearing for the Bribery Commission (CIABOC) stated that they are scheduled to record a statement from the suspect's wife regarding the incident.

CIABOC also mentioned that about 14 statements have been recorded from the suspect during the period he was held in remand custody.

Subsequently, the court ordered that the case be recalled on January 16.