By Dwayne Ferreira.
Kapila Chandrasena death inquiry faces further delay as court demands the post-mortem report and outstanding forensic findings.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has renewed pressure for the delayed post-mortem report in the Kapila Chandrasena death investigation, as several forensic findings remain outstanding.
The matter came before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena. Officers from the Colombo Crimes Division told court that the Chief Judicial Medical Officer had not received every Government Analyst’s report needed to complete the examination.
Investigators said authorities had forwarded several samples and related reports for analysis. However, the Judicial Medical Officer had officially received only one Government Analyst’s report so far.
The remaining findings must reach the medical authorities before forensic specialists can make a final determination on Chandrasena’s cause and manner of death.
After hearing the submissions, the Magistrate reissued reminder notices to the Chief Judicial Medical Officer. The court directed officials to submit the completed post-mortem report without further delay.
The Magistrate also instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the pending Government Analyst’s reports linked to the Kapila Chandrasena death investigation.
The case will be called again on August 19, 2026.
Suspicious death remains under investigation
Chandrasena, 61, was found dead at a residence on Pedris Road in Kollupitiya on May 8. Police initially reported that he had been found hanging and that suicide was suspected.
However, investigators later reported the death to court as suspicious. That development led to a magisterial inquiry and a detailed forensic examination.
His death occurred shortly after his release on bail in a corruption investigation connected to SriLankan Airlines’ controversial aircraft procurement dealings with Airbus.
Authorities arrested Chandrasena on March 12 over allegations arising from the aircraft deal. The court granted him bail on May 5.
A fresh warrant was reportedly issued for his arrest on May 7 after allegations emerged concerning the people who had appeared as his bail sureties. Chandrasena was found dead the following morning.
The timing of his death intensified public attention on both the forensic inquiry and the wider aircraft procurement investigation.
However, the delayed post-mortem report means authorities have not yet issued a final medico-legal conclusion explaining precisely how Chandrasena died.
Wife Remains Wanted in Airbus Investigation
Meanwhile, the case against Chandrasena’s wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, remains active. On July 15, Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena issued an open warrant against her in connection with the Airbus procurement investigation.
The Criminal Investigation Department told court that authorities had already issued a warrant against Wijenayake, who is listed as the second suspect in the case. The CID then requested an English-language open warrant, which the Magistrate approved.
The court also released former Sri Lanka cricketer Aravinda de Silva and his wife, Priyangi Anushka Wijenayake, from their obligations as her bail sureties. The Magistrate noted that the bail amount was Rs. 20 million and ordered written submissions before deciding whether it should be forfeited.
Chandrasena’s death prevents proceedings from continuing personally against him. However, the wider Airbus investigation, including the case against his wife and any examination of the alleged financial transactions, remains ongoing.
Until officials complete the forensic findings and submit them to court, any conclusion that the Kapila Chandrasena’s death resulted from suicide, an accident or other circumstances would remain premature.
