Airbus deal: Court told ex CEO of SLA confessed of paying Rs 60 Mn to ex Pre Mahinda Rajapaksa

The Colombo Magistrate Court was informed by Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today that former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena has stated that a sum of Rs. 60 million was paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa over controversial Airbus aircraft transaction.

When the case related to Airbus deal was taken up for hearing today, the Court was told the funds were paid in three installments at the residence of former President in Hambantota. The Court ordered that the former CEO of the national carrier be further remanded until April 2.

Last week, Mr Chandrasena filed a motion before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court accusing Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake of threatening him to implicate politicians over the controversial 2013 Airbus deal.

In a motion filed through attorney-at-law Udara Mohotti, Mr Chandrasena has requested court to allow him to make a statement regarding what transpired following his arrest by CIABOC officials.

In the motion, Mr Chandrasena alleges that after his arrest, CIABOC officials started recording his statement in the presence of his lawyer. However, when his lawyer had stepped out to have a meal, he claims CIABOC officials took him before DG Ranga Dissanayake, who proceeded to threaten him to implicate Namal Rajapaksa in the Airbus deal.

The former CEO of SriLankan Airlines was arrested by CIABOC officials on the evening of March 12 in connection with its probe into the Airbus deal. He was remanded till March 19 after being produced in court. Mr Chandrasena filed the motion accusing the Bribery Commission DG before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court the following day.