A stunning courtroom revelation has reignited one of Sri Lanka’s biggest corruption scandals, exposing alleged high-level political links, offshore money trails, and serious governance concerns.
Sri Lanka’s long-running Airbus corruption case took a dramatic turn as the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena had admitted to handing over Rs. 60 million in bribe money to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The disclosure has intensified scrutiny over political accountability and corporate governance in one of the country’s most controversial aviation deals.
According to statements presented in court, Chandrasena claimed the money was transferred in three separate payments. He further stated that an additional Rs. 20 million was given to former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne, raising broader concerns about systemic corruption within Sri Lanka’s aviation sector during the Airbus procurement process.
Investigators revealed that a shell company had been set up in Brunei under the name of Chandrasena’s wife, with a linked bank account in Singapore used to channel illicit funds. Through this offshore structure, it is alleged that a total bribe of over €1.45 million was received from the European Aerospace Defense Company, highlighting a complex international money laundering trail tied to the Airbus deal.
Authorities also informed the court that these funds were later transferred to Chandrasena’s account at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. From there, portions of the money were allegedly distributed among a SriLankan Airlines board director and several senior government officials, deepening the scale of the alleged corruption network.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that Chandrasena remain in remand custody until April 2, as investigations continue. The case has once again placed Sri Lanka’s political leadership, aviation governance, and anti-corruption mechanisms under intense public and legal scrutiny.
