Airbus deal Compensation to be obtained from those found guilty

• SriLankan has complained to the bribery commission

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera   

Civil Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunge said yesterday steps would be taken to obtain compensation from those involved in the SriLankan airline’s Airbus deal after obtaining legal advice.   

 He said this in Parliament when responding to a question asked by JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the controversial Airbus deal.   
The minister said SriLankan airlines has complained to the Bribery Commission (BC) to investigate the bribery charges and that the former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena and his wife were arrested by the CID in connection with the incident. Responding to a question whether the government would take steps to officially obtain the reports revealed in a British court, the minister said official documents on the verdict of the British Crown Court had been published by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in Britain.   
The minister said there were allegations that some ministers of the previous government had obtained various inducements to suppress the investigations though there had been an investigation into the incident.   

“Former President had appointed a commission into the incident and officials of SriLankan had given statements before the commission. A report had been submitted to the Attorney General but no action has been taken against the culprits,” he said.   

The minister said the government had created a situation where the responsible institutions could carry out an impartial investigation and take legal action against those responsible free of political intervention.   

JVP leader Dissanayake on Thursday questioned the government whether steps would be taken to officially obtain the reports revealed in a British court and initiate legal action against those involved in the malpractice. 

Blurb -- SriLankan airlines has complained to the Bribery Commission (BC) to  investigate the bribery charges and that the former SriLankan CEO Kapila  Chandrasena and his wife were arrested by the CID in connection with  the incident