Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody, is scheduled to be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court today (16). He is reportedly expected to be named as the main suspect in connection with alleged financial irregularities and money laundering related to the proposed acquisition of Airbus aircraft by SriLankan Airlines. According to sources, the move follows instructions issued by the Attorney General to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The investigation is being jointly conducted by the CID and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged bribery linked to SriLankan Airlines’ 2013 plans to purchase six A330 aircraft and four A350 aircraft, and lease a further four A350 aircraft. Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, his wife Priyanka Niyomali, and Shamindra Rajapaksa, son of former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, have previously been named as suspects. Namal Rajapaksa was arrested on September 4 when he appeared before CIABOC to provide a statement regarding the investigation and was subsequently remanded in custody after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.