An affidavit by former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, alleging that his earlier statement to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) was obtained under intimidation, has been released to the media by his lawyers.
The development comes after CIABOC informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that Chandrasena had claimed a sum of Rs. 60 million was paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from funds received through the Airbus deal.
According to court submissions, Chandrasena had stated that the Rs. 60 million was paid on three separate occasions. He had also reportedly claimed that a further Rs. 20 million was paid to former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne.
Following the submissions, the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered that Chandrasena be remanded until April 2. He was earlier arrested over allegations of soliciting and accepting a bribe of USD 2 million in connection with the Airbus deal.
In the affidavit dated March 18, Chandrasena claims that his statement to CIABOC was not given voluntarily. He alleges that he was taken out of the recording room during questioning and threatened by officials, including the Director General of CIABOC, who he claims spoke to him in a threatening manner.
He further claims that he was warned of arrest and pressured to include the names of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, MP Namal Rajapaksa, and his wife in his statement.
Chandrasena states that any references to these individuals were made under fear and intimidation, and do not reflect his voluntary testimony. He also alleges that he was denied access to his lawyer while the statement was being recorded.
Investigations into the Airbus bribery case are ongoing. (Newswire)
