Airbus Scandal: Police Expose Unusual Bail Arrangements

COLOMBO (News 1st); Three individuals produced in connection with providing bail sureties on behalf of late SriLankan Airlines former executive Kapila Chandrasena have been further remanded until May 20 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva.

The suspects, Mohamed Rizwan, Mohamed Irshan, and Ariya Tissa de Silva, all residents of Sanchi Arachchi Garden near the Hulftsdorp Court Complex, were arrested by the Keselwatta Police.

Presenting a progress report to court, police stated that statements had been recorded from the Grama Niladhari who issued the residency certificates submitted by the first and second suspects when appearing as sureties.

Investigations revealed that the first suspect had obtained 10 residency certificates between January and May this year, while the second suspect had secured seven such certificates during the same period. Police informed court that these documents had been used to confirm residency and were submitted as part of the bail process.

Further inquiries have indicated that the first and second suspects had been involved in this bail surety process over a period of time.

Police also disclosed that the suspects are not relatives of Kapila Chandrasena and were not personally acquainted with him.

Meanwhile, investigators noted that the individual who acted as the intermediary in arranging the bail sureties has since died, and a final determination regarding that death has not yet been made. Investigations into the overall incident are ongoing.

Authorities informed court that they oppose granting bail to the suspects at this stage due to the ongoing nature of the investigations.

After considering the submissions, the Magistrate directed that a report outlining the charges against each suspect be submitted to court in the coming days. The court also ordered that the fourth suspect, Perumal Ganesh, be produced for an identification parade.