Friday Mar 20, 2026
Friday Mar 20, 2026
Friday, 20 March 2026 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
An affidavit filed by former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena, in which he claims that his earlier statement to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) was obtained under duress, has been released to the media through his legal representatives.
The development follows submissions made by CIABOC to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court stating that Chandrasena had alleged that Rs. 60 million from funds linked to the Airbus transaction had been paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
According to the Commission’s submissions, Chandrasena had stated that the amount was paid in three instalments. It was also reported that he had claimed a further Rs. 20 million was paid to former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne.
Following these submissions, the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered that Chandrasena be remanded until 2 April. He had earlier been arrested over allegations of soliciting and accepting a bribe of $ 2 million in connection with the Airbus deal.
In the affidavit dated 18 March, Chandrasena states that his statement to CIABOC was not given voluntarily. He alleges that during the recording process he was taken out of the interview room and threatened by officials, including the Commission’s Director General, whom he claims spoke to him in a coercive manner.
He further states that he was warned of possible arrest and pressured to include the names of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, MP Namal Rajapaksa, and his spouse in his statement.
Chandrasena maintains that any references to these individuals were made under intimidation and do not represent his voluntary account. He also alleges that he was not granted access to legal counsel while the statement was being recorded.
Investigations into the Airbus bribery matter are continuing.
