A significant development has emerged in Sri Lanka’s high-profile Airbus bribery investigation, with former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena reportedly admitting in court that he paid Rs. 60 million to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The revelation was made during proceedings before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on March 19, as the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption presented its findings.
According to the evidence submitted, Chandrasena stated that the Rs. 60 million was handed over in 2015 in three separate installments of Rs. 20 million each. The payments were allegedly made in response to a request, and the court was informed that the transactions took place at private residences associated with the former president, identified as Carlton and Beliatta houses.
Investigators further revealed that the funds used for these payments were linked to money received through a controversial Airbus deal involving SriLankan Airlines. The case centers on allegations that large sums were obtained as kickbacks in connection with aircraft procurement agreements, raising serious concerns about corruption at the highest levels of both corporate and political leadership.
In addition to the payments made to Rajapaksa, Chandrasena also reportedly told the court that he had given Rs. 20 million to former Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne. This claim suggests that the alleged bribery extended beyond a single individual and may have involved multiple officials connected to the aviation sector at the time.
The Commission also informed the court that part of the funds connected to the alleged bribery scheme had been traced to a bank account belonging to Shamindra Rajapaksa, a former board member of SriLankan Airlines. This development has raised further questions about how the money was distributed and who may have benefited from the transactions.
Chandrasena had previously been arrested by the Bribery Commission on charges of soliciting and accepting a bribe of US$2 million in relation to the Airbus deal. His latest admission in court is expected to play a key role in the ongoing investigation, as authorities seek to establish a clear link between the corporate deal and the alleged payments to political figures.
After considering the evidence presented, the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered that Chandrasena be remanded in custody until April 2. The decision reflects the seriousness of the allegations and indicates that the case is likely to continue unfolding with further legal scrutiny in the coming weeks.
