Rajapaksha era Ex-SriLankan 🇱🇰 CEO Found Dead 1 Day After Arrest Order

⭕ Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena was found dead at a residence in Kollupitiya on May 8. Police said the death is suspected to be suicide.

⭕ Chandrasena was at the center of the 2013 SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal involving 10 aircraft worth about US$2.3 billion.

⭕ Investigators alleged Airbus agreed to pay US$16.84 million in bribes linked to the deal. Reports say US$2 million was transferred through a company linked to Chandrasena’s wife into a 🇸🇬 Singapore bank account.

⭕ Airbus later admitted in a 🇬🇧 UK court settlement in 2020 that intermediaries were used to influence the deal.

⭕ The 🇺🇸 U.S. sanctioned Chandrasena in 2024, alleging he accepted bribes to make 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka purchase Airbus aircraft above market value.

⭕ Chandrasena was arrested by CIABOC on March 12, 2026, over the alleged US$2 million Airbus bribe.

⭕ CIABOC told court Chandrasena had stated Rs. 60 million from the Airbus money was paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in three payments.

⭕ Chandrasena later filed an affidavit claiming that statement was obtained under pressure and intimidation, and said references to Mahinda Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa were not voluntary.

⭕ Chandrasena was granted bail on May 5 with conditions including Rs. 500,000 cash bail and three sureties of Rs. 10 million each.

⭕ However, On May 7, court ordered his re-arrest after CIABOC alleged two sureties were improperly arranged, violating bail terms. He was found dead on Today(May 8).

#SriLanka