Fort Magistrate directs CID to arrest Samindra Rajapaksa over aircraft deal allegations

• Directs CID to seek Interpol assistance to arrest the suspect, who is reportedly residing in the U.S.

By Bhagya Silva 

The Colombo Fort Magistrate, Isuru Neththikumara, yesterday issued an arrest warrant for Samindra Rajapaksa, the youngest son of former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, in connection with an investigation into alleged corruption involving approximately US$2 million during the re-fleeting of wide-body aircraft for SriLankan Airlines. 

The Magistrate issued the order after the Criminal Investigation Department informed court that, on the instructions of the Attorney General, Samindra Rajapaksa had been named as the third suspect in the case.  According to a motion filed by the CID naming him as the third suspect in the transaction, the Magistrate further directed the CID to seek the assistance of Interpol to arrest the suspect, who is reportedly residing in the United States, and to take necessary steps to obtain a Red Notice. 

The CID also informed court, in a further report, that the money allegedly received as bribes in relation to the aircraft procurement, amounting to approximately Rs. 260 million, had been distributed through various individuals by converting cheques for the purpose of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidential election campaign. 

Earlier, In connection with the investigation into the alleged corruption in the re-fleeting of wide-body aircraft for Sri Lankan Airlines, former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, and his wife were arrested and later released on bail, while their foreign travel has been banned. 

The court has also issued orders directing that all relevant documents, accounts, records, signatures, card numbers and other important materials related to the transaction, including those of Rolls-Royce, Airbus and other affiliated companies involved in the procurement of the aircraft, be preserved, and that statements be obtained from officials of those companies. The CID further informed court that the investigation was initiated following a request made by the then Secretary to the Ministry of Public Enterprise Development, Ravindra Hewavitharana, on August 3, 2018, to the Inspector General of Police to conduct an inquiry into the alleged fraud and corruption, based on the J.C. Weliammuna Report. 

The Magistrate also ordered the CID to continue investigations and report progress to court.