The Colombo Magistrate’s Court was informed today (19) that former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena admitted in a statement to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption that Rs. 60 million received as a bribe in the 2016 Airbus deal was handed over to then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

According to the Commission, Chandrasena stated that the bribe was paid in three installments to Rajapaksa, with an additional Rs. 20 million allegedly given to former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne. 

Investigations revealed that the money was funneled through a shell company registered in Brunei under Chandrasena’s wife’s name, with funds transferred from Europe to an account in Australia.

The funds, totaling over Euro 1.45 million, were reportedly obtained from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company as part of the scandal. Portions of the bribe money are said to have been distributed to a SriLankan Airlines director and other high-ranking officials.

Chandrasena was arrested in connection with the case, and Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered his further remand until 2 April. 

The investigation continues as authorities seek to unravel the full extent of the alleged corruption.