Affidavit says: Chandrasena pressured by CIABOC to name former president Mahinda and Namal

Lawyers for former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena have submitted an affidavit to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, alleging that his earlier statement to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption was obtained under coercion and intimidation.  

According to the affidavit, dated 18 March 2026, Chandrasena claims he was threatened to include the names of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and the suspect’s wife in the statement regarding the controversial 2016 Airbus transaction.  

Earlier, CIABOC informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that Chandrasena had stated in a prior Commission statement that a sum of Rs. 60 million, allegedly received as a bribe during the Airbus deal, was handed over to then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The statement also claimed that Rs. 60 million was paid in three instalments to the former President, while Rs. 20 million was given to former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne.   

In the affidavit, Kapila Chandrasena stated that if any part of his statement contains references to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa or Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, or that they exerted influence over the Airbus replacement process at SriLankan Airlines, or provided any improper assistance, or received any money, or that his wife had any involvement, such points were not made voluntarily by him. He claimed that these points were obtained by the officer recording his statement under the use of fear of death and intimidation imposed by the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.   

In the affidavit, suspect Chandrasena alleged that during his questioning at CIABOC on 12 March 2026, he was taken out of the recording room multiple times and subjected to threats and pressure by Commission officials, including the Director General. He stated that the officials created an environment of fear for his life, compelling him to make statements regarding high-profile figures and his wife that he did not provide voluntarily.   

In the affidavit, Chandrasena further asserted that any references in his previous statement about alleged influence or improper involvement by the former President, MP Namal Rajapaksa, or his wife were made under duress and not of his own free will.   

The affidavit emphasizes that the alleged intimidation left Chandrasena mentally distressed, fearing for his personal safety, and coerced him into providing information he would otherwise not have disclosed.   

The submission of this affidavit comes amid ongoing investigations by CIABOC into bribery allegations connected to the 2016 Airbus deal, which has involved multiple former officials of SriLankan Airlines and high-ranking government figures.