Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, once regarded as Sri Lanka’s dominant political strongman, appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on Tuesday in a highly charged atmosphere marked by both legal scrutiny and a dramatic public show of support. His arrival and departure from the commission premises triggered significant attention, as a large and tightly packed crowd gathered outside in what observers described as one of the most visible demonstrations of loyalty to the former leader in recent months.
Rajapaksa was questioned for more than two hours before leaving the anti-corruption body, which is investigating allegations tied to the procurement of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines in 2013. The inquiry centres on claims that a US$2 million bribe may have been linked to the high-value deal, raising renewed concerns about governance, transparency, and accountability in state-owned enterprises during the period when Rajapaksa held office. The case has resurfaced years after the transaction, but continues to carry significant political weight given its connection to one of the country’s most powerful former administrations.
Outside CIABOC, the scene was dominated by hundreds of supporters who gathered from early morning hours, many travelling from different parts of the country. The crowd, which swelled steadily throughout the morning, carried banners and chanted slogans in support of Rajapaksa, portraying him as a leader facing politically motivated allegations rather than a routine corruption investigation. Security personnel maintained a heavy presence as the gathering created congestion around the commission premises, with traffic in surrounding streets slowed due to the scale of the mobilisation.
The optics of mass support underscored Rajapaksa’s enduring political influence despite years of shifting public sentiment and repeated allegations against his administration. Even as he faces renewed legal scrutiny, the display outside CIABOC reflected a deeply polarised political environment in Sri Lanka, where former leaders often retain strong loyalist bases capable of mobilising quickly in moments of legal or political pressure.
Inside the commission, Rajapaksa provided a recorded statement in connection with the Airbus procurement investigation. The inquiry is understood to focus on whether irregular financial incentives influenced decision-making during negotiations between SriLankan Airlines and Airbus in 2013. Officials are examining the structure of the agreement, approval processes, and whether any external parties benefited improperly from the transaction. The matter is part of a broader effort by anti-corruption authorities to revisit large-scale financial decisions involving state assets.
The investigation has been further shaped by claims involving former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena, whose alleged statements reportedly contributed to the issuance of the summons. However, Rajapaksa’s legal representatives have challenged the reliability of such material. His media spokesman, Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage, stated that Chandrasena had previously submitted an affidavit to court asserting that any confession attributed to him had been obtained under duress and threats. According to this argument, reliance on such statements raises serious legal and procedural questions regarding the validity of the investigation’s foundation.
Gamage further indicated that Rajapaksa would be engaging a team of lawyers to assess the legal implications of the summons and related allegations. He suggested that if the commission’s actions were based solely on disputed confessional material, the process could be challenged on grounds of fairness and legality. The legal strategy is expected to examine both evidentiary standards and procedural safeguards applied during the investigation.
The scope of the inquiry appears to be expanding beyond a single individual. Former Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne has also reportedly been summoned in connection with the same Airbus deal, suggesting that CIABOC is attempting to map a broader network of decision-making within the aviation sector at the time. This widening investigation reflects the complexity of revisiting major procurement deals involving multiple layers of government and corporate involvement.
While the former president’s appearance dominated headlines, a separate political development unfolded in Colombo that further intensified the national debate over governance and institutional independence. The opposition submitted a memorandum to the Chief Justice raising concerns over remarks allegedly made by the President during a recent May Day rally speech in Maharagama. According to opposition convener and former minister G. L. Peiris, the President had referred to the outcome of a pending court case before the verdict had been officially delivered.
Peiris argued that such statements risk undermining judicial independence, noting that only judges are privy to verdicts before they are formally announced in open court. He warned that any disclosure or suggestion of judicial outcomes by external parties could constitute improper influence over legal proceedings. The opposition’s memorandum urges the Chief Justice to take note of the matter, which they claim raises serious constitutional and legal concerns.
