Sri Lankan Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who was summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has completed over five hours of questioning today, regarding the controversial financial transaction involving Airbus and SriLankan Airlines.
Rajapaksa arrived at the CID at approximately 9:00 AM this morning, where he provided his statement in relation to allegations surrounding the purchase of six Airbus A-330 and eight Airbus A-350 aircraft by SriLankan Airlines in 2013.
The allegations stem from documents presented in a foreign lawsuit involving Airbus, which claims that the company paid a bribe to Ms. Neomali Wijenayake, the wife of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, before the aircraft sale. The documents allege that a bribe amounting to $16 million was discussed between Airbus and Ms. Wijenayake, with at least $2 million allegedly transferred to a company established in Brunei in connection with the deal.
Following these revelations, the CID launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of Kapila Chandrasena and Neomali Wijenayake on February 6, 2020. They were later released on bail, and legal proceedings continue before the Fort Magistrate's Court.
Namal Rajapaksa's appearance at the CID is a crucial development in the ongoing investigation, as the authorities seek to uncover the full extent of the controversial transaction. As National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Rajapaksa's involvement has drawn significant attention, and his statement could play a pivotal role in the investigation moving forward.
