Airbus bribery case: Rs. 60 Mn Airbus bribe allegedly handed to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa - Bribery Comm. informs court

By Bhagya Silva   

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption told the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today that former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, while giving a statement, declared that he had given a sum of 60 million obtained as a bribe to then President Mahinda Rajapaksa in connection with the problematic 2016 Airbus deal.   

The Commission further stated in court that the suspect had, from the amount received, given 60 million to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on three occasions and 20 million to former Minister of Civil Aviation Priyankara Jayaratne, as stated in the declaration. Giving further details in court regarding the incident, officials appearing on behalf of the Commission, including Assistant Director Thanuja Bandara, stated as follows,   

“This suspect came to the Commission on 11 March 2026 to give a statement. This investigation is related to the receipt of bribes during the broad-scale aircraft procurement by SriLankan Airlines between 2011–2016. In relation to this investigation, following the Attorney General’s instructions, the Criminal Investigation Department received the first complaint. The second complaint was received from SriLankan Airlines. During this year, investigations have been conducted by both the CID and the Commission. It has been revealed that the suspect received an amount approximately equal to USD 2 million as bribes.”   

“In 2013, during this aircraft procurement, through a Brunei institution, two bank accounts were opened in Singapore and money was transferred. Acting as Chief Executive of SriLankan Airlines and Chairman of the Airbus procurement committee, the suspect, along with his wife and others, conspired to set up a fake company in Brunei in his wife’s name. In the name of this company, they opened accounts in a Singapore bank and received EUR 1,454,645.54 from the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, and attempted to distribute the bribe money to his Commonwealth Bank account in Australia and to several others, including a then Director General of SriLankan Airlines.”   

“The received funds were transferred to the Commonwealth Bank in Australia on four occasions.”   

“On 11 March 2026, the suspect came to the Commission along with his lawyer Udara Muhandiram. At that occasion, the lawyer requested the Deputy Commissioner present at the Commission to ensure that his client is not confirmed as a suspect and not taken into custody, and stated that an affidavit could confirm this. The affidavit was present on a mobile phone, and the lawyer informed the Deputy Commissioner. Later, the affidavit was sent via WhatsApp as a PDF, and printed copies were obtained.”   

“The final paragraph of the affidavit mentions the names Shamindra Rajapaksa and Priyankara Jayaratne, among others. At that occasion, the Commission asked the suspect for further details about these individuals. The lawyer informed the Commission that his client had been pressured by the Commission.”   

“At that occasion, the Director General also questioned the suspect about this matter, as reported to the court by the investigation officers. The suspect gave his statement in the cabin of the Assistant Director, and the Director asked him to give a truthful statement. The Director inquired about the person mentioned in the affidavit.”   

While presenting the affidavit, the suspect showed documents detailing how the USD 2 million was divided. Documents were also provided showing how the money was received from the original banks. It was stated that former Minister of Civil Aviation Priyankara Jayaratne received 20 million at a bank in Kollupitiya. The suspect also stated that he resigned from the position on 3 August 2015 and later in 2015, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa requested money, as recorded in his statement.  Subsequently, the suspect stated that he gave 60 million in three installments at his Bellawatta and Carlton residences, CIABOC told the court.   

Regarding this incident, the Airbus company and the parent company have provided support on several occasions. Several countries including France are ready to submit reports concerning this incident. It was noted that money was received in the suspect’s wife’s Singapore bank account, which later went to Shamindra Rajapaksa, a member of SriLankan Airlines at that time.   

“We do not accept all statements made by the suspect as true, because there is a discrepancy between the statements given in 2013 and those given now. We are investigating the truth of these statements,” said CIABOC.   

The Commission requested the court to issue warrants for the suspect’s wife Priyanka Niyomali and Shamindra Rajapaksa, who are currently named as suspects.  At that occasion, the Magistrate inquired whether the funds were transferred to the accounts of the individuals named in the statement. CIABOC responded that the suspect admitted taking and transferring the money from the bank.   

Charges have been filed against the suspect’s wife and Shamindra Rajapaksa under aiding and abetting the bribery request and receipt.   

During proceedings, the Counsel for the client, President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne, informed the court that the Commission was still influencing his client.  

“My client appeared at Fort Magistrate’s Court. Nothing was said at that time. Threats were made to my client that if the statements he made were revealed, he would face harm. My client was taken to another room and pressured to name other individuals. My junior lawyer accompanied him to the Commission that day. An affidavit regarding this can also be submitted to the court. 

We informed the Kotuwa Magistrate’s Court while he was in remand. No action was taken, so my client filed a motion in court.The purpose seems to be to involve other persons in this incident beyond this investigation. Regarding the CID investigation, my client is on bail at Fort Magistrate’s Court.”   

A bail application will be made regarding my client. No interference has been made with the investigation, and he has not fled the country. Even though the foreign travel ban has been lifted, my client has not left the country. Should my client be remanded again in 2026 in connection with this incident that he was already remanded for? He has been delayed in the investigation for so long. When I applied for bail at Fort Magistrate’s Court, the Magistrate stated that due to the gravity of the offense, remand is required.”   

He added that releasing him on bail may not cause public uproar, but public concern may arise due to the actions of the Director General.   

“The Commission is fully responsible for all matters relating to the investigation. Therefore, meeting the Director General and providing information for the investigation is not an offense,” CIABOC replied.   

“The Commission further stated that under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, it has full authority to examine witnesses without restriction, and that the law has been amended compared to the past,” the Assistant Director informed the court.   

Considering submissions from both sides and noting that the suspect’s wife is currently on bail for a related case and has been summoned to provide a statement to the Commission but did not appear, releasing the suspect on bail could obstruct investigations. Therefore, bail was denied.   

The Colombo Cheif Magistrate Asanga S Bodaragama ordered that the suspect be remanded till April 2.