Email communications recovered during the investigation into SriLankan Airlines’ controversial Airbus aircraft procurement have revealed contacts between MP Namal Rajapaksa and Airbus officials, prosecutors told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing for the prosecution, said forensic investigations had uncovered email communications between Rajapaksa and officials of the European aircraft manufacturer in connection with the transaction.
“During the forensic investigation, we were able to recover email communications exchanged between Airbus officials and the suspect. Those emails reveal the manner in which the suspect acted in relation to this transaction,” the Deputy Solicitor General told court, according to reports of the proceedings.
Prosecutors also said Airbus officials had travelled to Sri Lanka and provided statements to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and the Criminal Investigation Department.
Investigators had also received foreign forensic audit material relating to the transaction, the court was told.
Material previously presented by investigators includes an Airbus email dated March 23, 2013, which reportedly referred to the “President’s son” undertaking to present the company’s case regarding the proposed aircraft sale to Cabinet “through the President.”
The latest submissions were made during proceedings relating to an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act over funds allegedly connected to the Airbus aircraft procurement.
Prosecutors told court that US$2 million had been credited to a Singapore bank account belonging to Biz Solutions, a company owned by Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, another suspect in the case.
Of those funds, US$800,000 was subsequently transferred to an account belonging to a company linked to businessman Nimal Perera, according to the prosecution.
The Deputy Solicitor General said Perera had stated in evidence and a sworn affidavit submitted to the Bribery Commission that the equivalent of approximately Rs. 100 million was subsequently given to Rajapaksa.
Rajapaksa’s lawyers rejected the allegations.
President’s Counsel Anil Silva, appearing for Rajapaksa, questioned the allegation concerning the payment, arguing that the money had been received into an account belonging to Perera and disputing the prosecution’s case against his client.
Rajapaksa has been named as the fourth suspect in the money laundering investigation.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered Rajapaksa to remain in remand custody until September 23, when the court is due to deliver its decision on his bail application. (Newswire)