An affidavit submitted 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 follows submissions made by CIABOC before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where the commission stated that Chandrasena had claimed Rs. 60 million from funds linked to the Airbus deal had been paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
According to court submissions, Chandrasena had reportedly stated that the amount was paid on three separate occasions. He had also allegedly claimed that an additional Rs. 20 million was paid to former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne.
Meanwhile, Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged that Chandrasena had been subjected to pressure and intimidation by investigative authorities prior to his alleged suicide death.
Speaking at a media briefing, Rajapaksa claimed that investigators pressured Chandrasena to make statements implicating former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and members of the Rajapaksa family.
He further alleged that Chandrasena had been threatened with imprisonment and mentally harassed in an attempt to obtain statements aligned with what investigators allegedly wanted.
Namal Rajapaksa also accused the government of misusing state institutions, including the Police and investigative agencies, for political purposes.
He stated that while those accused of wrongdoing should face fair investigations, authorities should not resort to intimidation, threats, or coercion during the investigative process.
