Main defendant in Airbus-SriLankan Airlines corruption case dies
Transparency International expressed “serious concern” over Kapila Chandrasena’s death. The investigation into the aircraft procurement is ongoing “without obstruction or delay”. The airline’s former CEO died on 8 May in Kollupitiya, after a new arrest warrant was issued against him. The 61-year-old was accused of receiving millions of dollars in bribes. Police view his death as suspicious.
Colombo (AsiaNews) – Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), the national chapter of the global anti-corruption movement, has expressed "serious concern" over the sudden death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena.
The tragic event could jeopardise efforts to ensure accountability of the parties involved in a high-profile corruption case involving Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer.
Calling for a “full, transparent, and credible" investigation into the circumstances surrounding Chandrasena's death, TISL urges authorities to ensure the Airbus investigation continues "without hindrance or delay”.
TISL said the sudden death of a key figure involved in the ongoing Airbus legal proceedings represents a "serious setback" in the pursuit of truth, accountability, and justice.
According to police Kapila, the former SriLankan Airlines CEO was found dead last Friday morning (8 May), at his home in Kollupitiya. He was 61 years old.
Police said the death occurred under suspicious circumstances, and its causes have not yet been established. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing. The coroner is expected to examine the body and determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
Kapila Chandrasena was under investigation for alleged bribery in connection with the controversial Airbus aircraft purchase deal involving SriLankan Airlines.
Last Thursday, the Colombo Chief Magistrate issued a warrant for his re-arrest after he had been released on bail, following a complaint from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery of Corruption (CIABOC) for bail conditions violation.
The court heard that the people serving as bail sureties were paid and had no personal or financial ties to the defendant; they were subsequently taken to court and remanded in custody until 13 May.
Chandrasena was released on bail on 5 May under strict conditions. However, the bail order was subsequently challenged and cancelled, with a new arrest warrant issued.
The former CEO was the main defendant in the Airbus procurement corruption case, linked to the 2013 purchase of 10 aircraft worth approximately US$ 2.3 billion.
He is accused of receiving bribes of several million dollars through offshore entities, including a company registered in Brunei, with alleged links to bank accounts in Singapore.
Chandrasena was first arrested in connection with the case in 2020 and was arrested again in March 2026 during the current investigation.
TISL stressed that the government has a responsibility to ensure the integrity of the judicial process and to protect those involved in high-profile investigations and legal proceedings.
Regarding Chandrasena's sudden death, Police Spokesperson (ASP) F. U. Wootler stated that “death is suspected to be a suicide, while investigations are ongoing.”
The anti-corruption watchdog noted with concern that Chandrasena's death occurred immediately after he was granted bail and a new arrest warrant was issued in connection with the Airbus investigation.
"Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his death, the outcome is deeply damaging to the justice process,” TISL said in a statement.
The organisation warned that deaths during high-profile corruption trials could be treated as obstruction of justice if criminal liability and malicious intent were subsequently found.
It further stated that "the death could prevent the public from learning the full extent of alleged systemic corruption linked to the Airbus aircraft procurement deal involving Sri Lankan Airlines.”
TISL also highlighted concerns about the “safety and vulnerability” of those involved in large-scale corruption cases, noting that the state has a primary duty to ensure that accountability processes do not collapse before justice is served.
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