Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, ex-minister Piyankara Jayaratne summoned to CIABOC

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne have been summoned to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on May 12, 2026. 

The summons has been issued to record statements in connection with the ongoing investigation into the controversial Airbus deal.

The CIABOC has initiated an investigation over the allegations involving the 2013 procurement of six Airbus A-330 aircrafts and eight A-350 aircrafts for SriLankan Airlines, during which US$2 million was reportedly received as bribes.

The allegations have been levelled against former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Nayomi Wijenayake. 

Chandrasena was arrested by the Bribery Commission on March 12 and was subsequently remanded until May 5 under the Bribery Act and the Anti-Corruption Act for ongoing investigations.   

The CIABOC informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, on March 19, 2026 that it has been uncovered that funds allegedly received as bribes from the Airbus aircraft deal had been handed over by former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne.    

According to the Commission, the suspect Kapila Chandrasena has stated that, following a request made by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2015, a total of Rs. 60 million was handed over in three installments of Rs. 20 million each at the former President’s Beliatta residence and Carlton residence.

Accordingly, the Bribery Commission has now summoned Rajapaksa and Jayaratne to appear before it on May 12 to record statements as part of the ongoing investigation into the controversial Airbus deal.