Ex-SriLankan CEO claims Rs. 60 Million paid to Mahinda Rajapaksa in Airbus deal

Sri Lanka’s Bribery Commission told the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (March 19) that former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, in a statement given to investigators, had said that Rs. 60 million from bribe money linked to the Airbus deal was paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The disclosure was made when the case against Chandrasena was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), Chandrasena had stated that the money was paid to Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2015 in three separate payments of Rs. 20 million each.

CIABOC also told court that Chandrasena had said the money was handed over at the Carlton residence in Tangalle and at a residence in Beliatta.

During the hearing, the Magistrate ordered that Chandrasena be further remanded until April 2, 2026.

Chandrasena was arrested on March 12, 2026, after arriving at CIABOC to give a statement over the ongoing investigation.

The Bribery Commission has launched an investigation into transactions linked to agreements entered into by SriLankan Airlines for the purchase of six Airbus aircraft in 2014 and seven Airbus aircraft in 2017.

Commission investigators told court that details have emerged regarding two agreements entered into with foreign companies in connection with these transactions.

According to investigators, those agreements included understandings to pay USD 1 million for each A330 aircraft and USD 1.5 million for each A350 aircraft.

They also told court that there had been agreements to pay USD 400,000 per aircraft if the planes were obtained under lease arrangements.

Investigations have revealed that USD 2 million from the agreed sums had been transferred to a foreign bank account belonging to Chandrasena’s wife.

CIABOC further said Chandrasena had also stated that Rs. 20 million was handed over to former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne in the Kollupitiya area.

Investigators also informed court that Chandrasena had stated that USD 325,000 was paid through bank accounts to Shamindra Rajapaksa, a former member of the SriLankan Airlines Board of Directors.

They said Chandrasena had submitted documentary evidence in support of these claims.

Investigators further told court that bank accounts opened at Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore in the name of Chandrasena’s wife had been identified during the investigation.

CIABOC said Chandrasena’s wife, Priyanga Niyomali Wijerathne, and Shamindra Rajapaksa are being named as suspects in the case, and that warrants may be sought against them.

The Bribery Commission also told court that the investigation is receiving international cooperation and that Airbus’ parent company in France has expressed readiness to assist with the probe.

Appearing for Chandrasena, President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne told court that his client’s statement had been recorded under pressure and coercion.

He also submitted an affidavit to court setting out the circumstances under which he said the statement had been obtained.

However, investigators appearing for CIABOC rejected the allegation that Chandrasena had been threatened.

They told court that instructing a suspect to state the truth in the presence of the Commission’s Director General did not amount to a threat.

After considering the submissions made by both sides, the Chief Magistrate ordered that Chandrasena be further remanded until April 2, 2026.

-This update is based on the News 1st (Sirasa TV) 7:00 PM bulletin aired on March 19, 2026. Last updated at 8:48 AM on March 20, 2026 –

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