Sri Lankan ex-CEO linked to Airbus bribes found dead

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Colombo: Kapila Chandrasena, the former chief executive of state-owned SriLankan Airlines, was found dead on Friday at the home of a relative in Colombo. 

His death comes just days after he was released from remand custody and only 24 hours after a court ordered his re-arrest on new charges of bribing individuals to post his bail. Police have launched an investigation into the cause and circumstances of his death.

Chandrasena was a central figure in a sprawling $2.3 billion aircraft purchase deal with Airbus, in which he was charged with conspiring to accept a $16 million bribe. 

Following his arrest in March, he reportedly told investigators that portions of these kickbacks were paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the former aviation minister. 

While the Rajapaksa family has consistently denied these allegations as politically motivated, Chandrasena's disclosures to the bribery commission had detailed specific payments made during his tenure.

The scandal was not limited to Sri Lanka; Chandrasena was previously named in a joint international investigation by the U.S., Britain, and France into Airbus's global business practices.

 This investigation eventually led to a $4 billion settlement by Airbus and a 2024 U.S. government sanction against Chandrasena personally. His death leaves the future of the high-profile corruption case—and the heavily indebted state airline in a state of uncertainty.