Aravinda de Silva, Wife Give Evidence in Kapila Chandrasena Death Inquest

COLOMBO (News 1st); An inquest into the death of Kapila Chandrasena, the former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines and a key suspect in the alleged acceptance of a US$2 million bribe linked to the Airbus transaction, was conducted before the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

During the proceedings, the Colombo Crimes Division presented a further report on the ongoing investigations, along with two annexures related to the post‑mortem examination.

Eight witnesses, including former Sri Lankan cricketer Aravinda de Silva, who is related to Kapila Chandrasena, and his wife, appeared before open court today (12) to provide testimony at the inquest.

Investigating officers informed court that several types of medication and multiple blood samples recovered from the scene had been taken into custody as case exhibits.

The Magistrate also inquired whether the belt found around the neck and the unidentified medication recovered at the scene had been forwarded to the Government Analyst.

Responding to the inquiry, officers from the Colombo Crimes Division stated that the belt suspected to have been used for hanging would be forwarded to the Government Analyst today, and that arrangements were being made to submit the medication as well.

Investigators further informed court that Kapila Chandrasena’s mobile phone is a high‑security model and efforts are underway to have it unlocked through a suitable institution.

Giving evidence, Priyangi Anushka Wijenayake, the sister of Kapila Chandrasena’s wife and the wife of former cricketer Aravinda de Silva, stated that she had no suspicions regarding the death.

Translation of Excerpt:

“I woke up at around 4 a.m. After that, my husband called me and said that the lawyer was there and asked me to prepare a cup of tea for Kapila. He tried calling Kapila twice, but he did not answer. Then we went to meet the lawyer. After that, both of us went to the room where Kapila was staying and called out to him, but there was no response. I took the master key, which can open all the doors in the house, and opened the door with the lawyer. I had taken just one step into the room when the lawyer went inside and came back out, saying Kapila appeared unwell and that we should call for an ambulance. An ambulance from Durdans Hospital arrived along with a female doctor, who examined him and said Kapila had passed away. I have no suspicions about this death. I had noticed that he was under a lot of stress the previous night.”

Former cricketer Aravinda de Silva, in his testimony, also stated that he did not suspect any foul play surrounding the death.

Translation of Excerpt:

“Kapila called the house worker in front of me and asked for a gym mat to be sent. I then asked him whether he was planning to go to the gym, and Kapila mentioned something about needing a rack to hang clothes. The driver later brought the items, and Kapila and I were talking while the items were placed on the table. We continued talking for some time, and then he said, ‘I have only been out for a day and now they are trying to put me back inside.’ I told him not to worry and that we would sort everything out. I took him upstairs, showed him the room, switched on the air‑conditioning and told him to relax well and that we would face the matter the next morning. Even then, it was clear that he was very reluctant to go back into custody after having just been released. The following morning, at around 7 a.m., I woke up when the lawyer called the house. I tried calling Kapila twice, but there was no response. I knocked on the door several times and later knocked from the adjoining bathroom door as well, but there was no response. I told the lawyer that Kapila was probably getting ready. I then went to get ready to go to the office and asked my wife to check on Kapila quickly. Since there was still no response, my wife and the lawyer opened the door to Kapila’s room using the master key. My wife and the lawyer were the first to see him.”

The Fort Magistrate ordered that further inquest testimony be recorded on May 14.