Former Minister Priyankara Jayaratne and Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa Summoned to Bribery Commission Over Airbus Deal

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Minister Priyankara Jayaratne have been issued notices to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on the 12th of May.

The two former ministr were summoned in relation to the procurement of aircraft for SriLankan Airlines, specifically the purchase of six Airbus aircraft in 2014 and seven Airbus aircraft in 2017.

The Bribery Commission informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court on March 19 that the former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, made a significant disclosure regarding the deal.

According to the commission Chandrasena alleged that 
Rs. 60 million from the bribes received through the Airbus deal was given to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Investigations of Chandrasena also reportedly revealed that funds were provided to the former Minister of Civil Aviation, Priyankara Jayaratne.

Kapila Chandrasena, the former CEO of the national carrier,
was previously arrested in connection with the incident and is currently held in remand custody.