Update (May 9, 2026): A formal CIABOC summons letter was delivered to Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Carlton residence on Saturday, the SLPP confirmed, resolving the disputed-service claim described in this story.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not received any official notice or communication from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) regarding the SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal, his media spokesman said on Sunday.
In a statement, Attorney Manoj Gamage said no formal notification has been issued by the Bribery Commission in connection with the matter, despite media reports earlier this weekend that Rajapaksa and former Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne had been summoned to record statements on May 12.
Gamage said recent public remarks by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake about anticipated court rulings amount to prejudging judicial decisions and constitute interference with the independence of the judiciary.
The statement also alleges that while CIABOC is taking a keen interest in matters involving the Rajapaksa family, it has not initiated investigations into several serious allegations against the current administration — specifically naming coal fraud, the release of impounded containers, and alleged dollar fraud cases.
“The Bribery Commission operates using public funds and not those of any political administration,” Gamage said, urging it to conduct independent investigations into large-scale corruption cases without prioritising “political witch-hunts.”
He added that the Rajapaksa political faction is not intimidated by such actions and will respond lawfully when necessary.
SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa reiterated the position on Monday afternoon, telling Newswire “he has not received the letter yet” when asked when the former President would appear before the Bribery Commission. Namal said the summons information had been disclosed to the media via the NPP office in Pelawatte or the President’s Office in Colombo and was announced “at a May Day rally, so it is a political summons” rather than one delivered through a written letter.
The Airbus probe centres on the 2013 procurement of six A330 and eight A350 aircraft for SriLankan Airlines, with US$2 million allegedly received as bribes. CIABOC informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on March 19 that former CEO Kapila Chandrasena had stated under questioning that Rs. 60 million from the deal was handed over to Rajapaksa in three Rs. 20 million instalments at his Beliatta and Carlton residences in 2015.
Chandrasena was arrested by the Bribery Commission on March 12 and is currently in remand custody, with his next court date further set for May 5.
Sources: Ada Derana, Newswire — Namal.
