Mahinda Rajapaksa Leaves CIABOC After Appearing in Airbus Bribery Probe

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa left the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this (12) afternoon after appearing to record a statement in connection with an alleged US$2 million bribe linked to the purchase of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.

Rajapaksa was summoned before the Commission based on revelations made by Kapila Chandrasena, the former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines and the main suspect in the case. Chandrasena has alleged that Rs. 60 million from the alleged bribe money was handed over to Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In addition to the former President, former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne and former SriLankan Airlines board member Willy Gamage have also been summoned to appear before CIABOC in relation to the same investigation.

Willy Gamage appeared before the Commission on Monday (11).

The bribery investigation centres on a transaction proposed during the 2012–2013 period, when SriLankan Airlines planned to retire 13 aircraft and purchase 14 new aircraft. An agreement was signed with France‑based Airbus to purchase six A330 aircraft and four A350 aircraft.