Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on Tuesday morning (12) to record a statement in connection with an alleged US$2 million bribe linked to the procurement of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines in 2013.
The summons was based on revelations by the late Kapila Chandrasena, former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer, who alleged that Rs. 60 million from the bribe money was handed to Rajapaksa on three occasions starting in 2015. Chandrasena, the main suspect in the case, was found dead at a Colpetty residence on May 8 hours after his bail was revoked.
Former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne and former SriLankan Airlines board member Willy Gamage were also summoned. Gamage appeared before the Commission on Monday (11), recorded a statement and left the premises, NewsFirst reported.
Rajapaksa’s media spokesman, Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage, said discussions with a team of lawyers had been planned ahead of the appearance to address legal concerns. Gamage has previously argued that the summons rests on what he calls an unlawful confession — citing an affidavit in which Chandrasena claimed his earlier statement was obtained under threats and coercion. The legal team has signalled it may take action against the relevant parties.
The Airbus probe centres on a 2012–2013 transaction in which SriLankan Airlines planned to retire 13 aircraft and purchase 14 new ones. An agreement was signed with France-based Airbus for six A330 and four A350 aircraft. Allegations of bribery emerged in January 2020 following a UK Serious Fraud Office investigation, which found Airbus had agreed to pay US$16.84 million to intermediaries on a 10-aircraft purchase.
Investigations revealed US$2 million had been credited to a Brunei company in the name of Chandrasena’s wife, with onward transfers to accounts in Australia and Sri Lanka. According to NewsFirst, US$160,000 was also transferred in 2013 to an account held by then board member Shamindra Rajapaksa, son of former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. Arrest warrants remain outstanding for Shamindra Rajapaksa and former board member Priyanka Wijenayaka, both abroad.
The deal was cancelled following the change of government in 2015 at a cost of US$98 million, with no aircraft or spare parts received.
One of Chandrasena’s lawyers informed the Bribery Commission on 19 March that his client was willing to become a state witness — the procedural backdrop to the current round of summons.
The appearance is the first time Mahinda Rajapaksa has been personally called before CIABOC in the Airbus thread, following the summons letter formally delivered to his Carlton residence and the evidence-validity dispute aired by his legal team on Monday. Investigations into Chandrasena’s death are continuing under the Colombo Crimes Division, with Fair Comment separately lodging a criminal complaint against CIABOC officials on the same day.
Sources: Ada Derana · NewsFirst · The Island.
