May 07, Colombo (LNW): Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva has ordered the remand of two men accused of falsely standing as bail sureties for former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena, who was recently granted bail in an ongoing corruption case.
The suspects were taken into custody after authorities alleged that they had accepted payment to appear in court as guarantors despite having no personal relationship or direct connection with Chandrasena. The court ordered that both men remain in remand custody until 13 May while investigations continue.
Chandrasena, the former head of the national carrier, is facing legal proceedings over allegations linked to a multi-million-dollar bribery scandal involving the procurement of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines. Prosecutors claim the deal involved the acceptance of a bribe amounting to USD 2 million.
During yesterday’s proceedings, officers attached to the Keselwatta Police Crime Branch informed court that the two suspects had each allegedly received Rs. 15,000 in exchange for acting as sureties.
The men, identified as Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Irshan of Hulftsdorp, were arrested after court officials raised concerns regarding the authenticity and legitimacy of documents submitted in support of the bail application.
Police told the court that further scrutiny of the Grama Niladhari certificates presented by the pair prompted a formal complaint and subsequent investigation. Authorities also noted that the magistrate had questioned whether the sureties would realistically be able to ensure the accused’s appearance in court as required under the Bail Act.
Investigators revealed that during questioning, the two suspects allegedly admitted they had been approached by individuals known as “Deva” and “Tissa”, who requested them to stand as sureties in return for financial compensation.
The court heard that such actions may amount to a criminal offence under the Bail Act No. 30 of 1997, particularly if individuals knowingly provide false or misleading assurances to secure bail for an accused person.
Following submissions made by the police, the magistrate directed officers to conduct a more detailed inquiry into the background of the suspects and the process through which the Grama Niladhari certifications had been obtained and verified.