The presidential commission on serious incidents of fraud is also probeing the then police chief Mahinda Balasuriya, who has recommended the security on Weerawansa’s orders.

From 2009 to 2015, Mohamed Muzammil, Anjan Umma, Weerakumara Dissanayake, Nimal Premawansa, Padma Udayashantha, Deepal Gunasekara, Jayantha Samaraweera and Samansiri Herath had each been given two policemen each.

The policemen had been deployed for their security full time, while the police department paid their salaries and allowances for the six year period.

The commission has taken steps to record statements from several top officials regarding the matter.

Government sources say both Weerawansa and Balasuriya are to be arrested within days.