Former SriLankan Airlines CEO found dead days after getting bail in corruption case

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena was found dead at his residence in Colombo on Friday, just days after securing bail in a major corruption case linked to aircraft purchases for the national carrier.

Police said Chandrasena’s death is being treated as suspicious. Assistant Superintendent of Police F U Wootler confirmed that his body was discovered at his home. According to local media reports, he died by hanging.

The incident comes a day after the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court reportedly issued a warrant for Chandrasena’s arrest over allegations that he violated bail conditions imposed earlier this week.

Chandrasena had secured bail on Tuesday after being remanded in March in connection with allegations of accepting kickbacks during aircraft procurement deals involving SriLankan Airlines.

During court proceedings earlier this week, prosecutors alleged that Chandrasena admitted to handing over LKR 60 million in bribes to former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

According to prosecutors, the money was allegedly delivered in three installments of LKR 20 million each at Rajapaksa’s residence in southern Sri Lanka during his presidency in 2015.

However, Chandrasena’s legal team argued that the statement was made under pressure and submitted an affidavit before the court claiming the confession was recorded under duress.

The case also involves allegations against former aviation minister Priyankara Jayarathna, who allegedly received part of the bribe linked to the purchase of six Airbus aircraft in 2014 and seven more in 2017.

Chandrasena served as CEO of SriLankan Airlines between 2011 and 2015. Investigators alleged that he received kickbacks from Airbus and that funds were transferred to his wife’s bank account.

Both Chandrasena and his wife were arrested in 2019 and later released on bail.

Sri Lanka’s anti-graft commission revived the investigation after the country introduced stricter anti-corruption laws in 2024.