The Bribery Commission has filed three corruption-related charges against former SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe, who was arrested earlier this week and remanded until July 01.
The charges relate to incidents that occurred during his tenure at the national carrier in 2014, resulting in financial losses to the government:
1. Flight Diversion Loss – On January 22, 2014, flight UL319, scheduled to operate from Kuala Lumpur to Katunayake, was diverted, reportedly causing a financial loss of USD 4,512 to the state.
2. Passenger Diversion Loss – On January 26, 2014, 75 passengers traveling from the Maldives to France via Colombo were sent from flight UL563. The commission alleges this action led to a loss of USD 19,160.
3. Misuse of State Funds – On December 19, 2014, Rs. 1.25 million of government funds were allegedly used for election campaign activities at the 18th Mile Post Grounds in Katunayake, in support of the former President.
Wickramasinghe, who is the brother of former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into procurement and misuse of funds at the airline.
He was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court and ordered to be remanded until July 01. (Newswire)
