The belt allegedly used in the death of former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena was brought from his Colombo residence by an employee, the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has determined as part of its expanding inquiry into the circumstances of his death.
NewsFirst reported on Sunday that statements have now been recorded from nearly 15 individuals, including former Sri Lanka cricket captain Aravinda de Silva, at whose Kollupitiya residence Chandrasena’s body was discovered on Friday morning. Investigators have also found that Chandrasena participated in a discussion with lawyers on the day before his death, and police are examining security camera footage from the house.
According to a Newswire report citing Divaina, a five-member panel of specialist doctors led by Colombo Chief Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Sriyantha Amarathna conducted the post-mortem on May 9. Samples of blood, urine, tissue, organs and hair were sent to the Government Analyst’s Department for chemical testing to determine the exact cause of death. Police said the medical board will issue its findings once the full report is available.
Chandrasena, the central accused in the long-running Airbus bribery case, had been remanded for nearly two months before being granted bail on May 5. Controversy arose when it emerged that some guarantors who posted bail were paid individuals with no connection to him; Keselwatta Police arrested two who admitted acting as guarantors for money. On May 7, the Bribery Commission petitioned the court to cancel his bail and Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama issued a warrant for his arrest. He was found dead the next morning at Aravinda de Silva’s residence on 5th Lane, Kollupitiya, where police said he had been staying due to family ties through his wife. His final rites were held at the Borella General Cemetery on Saturday evening.
Though the death appeared to be by hanging, investigators suspected foul play and ordered a wider probe. Police Media Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said the investigation would continue until the precise cause of death is established. Chandrasena’s mobile phone has also been seized for analysis of recent calls. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has demanded an independent inquiry, and SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has alleged that investigators pressured Chandrasena to implicate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Businessman Dilith Jayaweera has separately framed the death as politically and commercially motivated.
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