MP Namal Rajapaksa arrested in Airbus corruption probe
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption authorities on Friday (4) arrested opposition parliamentarian and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa in connection with an investigation into an alleged US$2 million bribe linked to the acquisition of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.
Rajapaksa appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) at around 9.15 a.m. to record a statement regarding the controversial 2013 Airbus transaction and was taken into custody after several hours of questioning.
He was due to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court following his arrest.
The investigation centres on allegations surrounding the acquisition of six Airbus A330 and eight A350 aircraft for SriLankan Airlines in 2013.
Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, have also been named as suspects in the case over the alleged acceptance of a US$2 million bribe in connection with the aircraft transaction.
CIABOC launched an investigation into the alleged bribery scheme under the Anti-Corruption Act, following which Chandrasena was arrested on March 12 and remanded in custody before subsequently being released on bail.
Chandrasena was later found dead on May 8 while on bail, in circumstances that police have described as a suspected suicide.
Open warrants have been issued for the arrest of Wijenayake, the second suspect, and Shamindra Rajapaksa, named as the third suspect in the case before the Fort Magistrate’s Court.
The investigation has also received assistance from Airbus, with a delegation from the company’s parent group in France visiting Sri Lanka during the first week of August and providing statements to CIABOC.
Rajapaksa had been summoned to appear before the Commission to provide a statement concerning the Airbus transaction. Speaking to journalists before entering the Commission, Rajapaksa questioned the independence of the police and judiciary and accused the government of using law enforcement agencies to pursue a political agenda.
“The unfortunate situation has arisen where the people of the country are questioning the independence of the police and the judiciary,” he said, adding that he believed the police were acting in accordance with the government’s political agenda.
Rajapaksa also said the National People’s Power (NPP) Government would not determine his political future and that he would face the challenges before him.
“I will face challenges in the best possible way,” he said, challenging President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s repeated statements that the law should apply equally to everyone and that no individual should receive preferential treatment.
“If that is the case, the President should take appropriate legal action against his secretary for illegally releasing containers,” Rajapaksa said, referring to an allegation concerning the release of containers.
Rajapaksa also criticized what he described as threats from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), saying he would not bow to such pressure.
The government has repeatedly said that investigations and legal proceedings involving former and current political figures are being conducted independently and in accordance with the law.
–ENCL
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.