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Indicted under Money Laundering Act / Trial in Colombo High CourtMahinda Rajapaksa Administration (2005–2015) • Year: 2020
Airbus SE – SriLankan Airlines Aircraft Re-fleeting Bribery Case
Category: CORRUPTION • Investigating Authority: UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) / CID / Fort Magistrate Court
Named Parties / Involved Entities:
Kapila Chandrasena (Former SriLankan Airlines CEO) • Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake • Airbus SE
Verified Allegation / Matter Summary
In 2013, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus agreed to pay a $16.84 Million bribe (with $2M actually transferred) to a Brunei-registered shell company owned by the wife of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena to secure orders for 10 aircraft (6 A330s and 4 A350-900s).
Documented Public Financial Impact
Rs. 17.5 Billion
Judicial Proceedings & Current Legal Status
⚖ Following Airbus SE's global settlement in UK Crown Court (2020), CID arrested Kapila Chandrasena and wife in February 2020. Indictments served in Colombo High Court under Money Laundering and Bribery Acts; trial proceeding.
Case Timeline & Procedural Milestones
2013-06-28
SriLankan Airlines signs purchase agreement for Airbus A350 and A330 aircraft.
2020-01-31
UK Crown Court approves Airbus Deferred Prosecution Agreement detailing Sri Lanka bribes.
2020-02-06
CID arrests former CEO Kapila Chandrasena and spouse following Fort Magistrate warrant.
Auditor General & Forensic Audit Citations
Special Board of Inquiry headed by J.C. Weliamuna PC (2015) and Auditor General Special Audit (2018) confirmed financial distress caused by the unviable re-fleeting deal.