Parliamentarian and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an investigation into the controversial Airbus aircraft procurement deal.
Rajapaksa was taken into custody after providing a statement to the commission for several hours. He had been summoned to appear before CIABOC at 9.15 a.m.
The investigation centres on a 2013 transaction involving the purchase by SriLankan Airlines of six Airbus A330 aircraft and eight A350 aircraft. Allegations have been made that a USD 2 million bribe was accepted in connection with the deal.
Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenaike, are among those linked to the investigation. Chandrasena was previously arrested by CIABOC and remanded before being released on bail. He died on May 8.
The Fort Magistrate’s Court has also issued open warrants for the arrest of Wijenaike and Shamindra Rajapaksa, who have been named as suspects in the case.
The investigation was further expanded following the arrival in Sri Lanka in early August of representatives of Airbus’s French parent company, who provided statements to CIABOC.
