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SriLankan Airbus deal case: MR records 2-hr statement with CIABOC

SriLankan Airbus deal case: MR records 2-hr statement with CIABOC

13 May 2026


  • Ex-Aviation Minister Jayaratne also records statement 
  • ‘Fake’ surety bail supplying duo remanded till today


Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa recorded a statement with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (12) for over two hours.

Rajapaksa appeared before the CIABOC yesterday morning to provide a statement regarding the alleged SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal. The summons follows a notification issued by the CIABOC requesting a statement in connection with an alleged US$ two million bribe reportedly linked to the procurement of aircraft for the SriLankan Airlines in 2013.

Former Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne also recorded a statement with the CIABOC for nearly four hours yesterday regarding the controversial SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal. Jayaratne appeared before the CIABOC yesterday following a summons issued to record a statement pertaining to the ongoing probe. 

However, Rajapaksa’s media spokesperson, attorney Manoj Gamage stated that discussions with a team of lawyers are scheduled to take place regarding certain legal matters. Gamage further stated that the summons had been issued based on a confession allegedly made by the late former Chief Executive Officer of the SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena. He argued however that Chandrasena had previously submitted an affidavit to court claiming that the confession had been obtained under duress and threats. Gamage maintained that if the summons was based solely on those grounds, it would be unlawful.

The CIABOC recently informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court (MC) that steps had been taken to summon Rajapaksa, Jayaratne, and an individual identified as Willie Gamage to record statements in relation to the investigation into the Airbus transaction.

Meanwhile, two suspects accused of arranging two fake sureties to secure bail for Chandrasena, who recently died under mysterious circumstances, have been remanded until today (13). The order was issued by the Colombo MC. The suspects were produced before Court by the Keselwatta Police. The Magistrate also ordered that one of the suspects be produced for an identification (ID) parade.




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