Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has expressed “grave concern” over the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, warning that the incident represents a “serious setback” to the long-running Airbus corruption case.
In a statement on Friday, the anti-corruption watchdog said the sudden death of a key individual connected to the ongoing prosecution risked obstructing accountability efforts. The government, TISL said, has a heightened duty to ensure the integrity of the justice process and to protect persons connected to high-profile investigations and legal proceedings.
Chandrasena was found dead at a residence in Colpetty on Friday morning. Police spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said the death is suspected to be a suicide and that investigations are ongoing.
TISL noted with concern that the death came immediately after he had been granted bail and after a subsequent arrest warrant had been issued against him in connection with the Airbus bribery probe. “Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his death, the outcome is deeply damaging to the justice process,” it said.
The organisation warned that deaths occurring during high-stakes corruption litigation could potentially be viewed as obstruction of justice if foul play were later established. It said the death could also prevent the public from learning the full extent of alleged systemic corruption linked to the Airbus aircraft procurement deal involving SriLankan Airlines.
TISL called for a “full, transparent and credible investigation” into the circumstances of Chandrasena’s death and urged authorities to ensure the Airbus probe continues “without obstruction or delay.”
Chandrasena had been a central figure in the long-running Airbus bribery investigation, which alleges that bribes were paid in connection with aircraft purchases by SriLankan Airlines under the previous Rajapaksa administration. He had previously been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations that he solicited and accepted a US$2 million bribe linked to the deal. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam earlier in the day demanded an independent inquiry into Chandrasena’s death.
Source: Newswire.
