The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has today (02) ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to apprehend and produce Shamindra Rajapaksa, the youngest son of former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa in court, in connection with a questionable Airbus deal alleged to have taken place in 2013.
The CID informed court that Shamindra Rajapaksa has been named as the third suspect in the case.
The case has been filed in relation to the purchase of six Airbus A-330 and eight A-350 aircraft by SriLankan Airlines in 2013, during which it is alleged that a US$ 2 million bribe was paid in an irregular transaction between Airbus and SriLankan Airlines.
Previously, Kapila Chandrasekera, the former CEO of SriLankan Airlines and his wife Niyomali Wijenayake were charged in connection with the same bribery allegations. They were initially taken into custody, produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, and later released on bail.
The CID today proceeded to name Shamindra Rajapaksa, the son of former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, as the third suspect and requested court to issue an order to arrest him and produce in court.
The Magistrate also instructed the CID to obtain a red warrant to facilitate the arrest of the suspect, who is currently residing overseas.
