The magisterial inquiry into the death of former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kapila Chandrasena was held before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara on 12 May.

During the proceedings, officers attached to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), who are conducting investigations into the death, updated court on the progress of the inquiry.

Police also submitted two annexures related to the post-mortem examination along with a further report.

CCD officers requested court permission to send two blood samples obtained from the deceased’s body to the Government Analyst’s Department for examination and to obtain a report.

Police further informed court that they had been unable to unlock the deceased’s mobile phone as it was secured using Face ID. Officers therefore sought permission to send the device to the manufacturer or a relevant institution to facilitate access.

During the hearing, the Magistrate questioned whether the necktie recovered from the scene had been forwarded to the Government Analyst.

Responding to the query, police stated that the item had been produced before court as a case exhibit and would be sent to the Government Analyst.

The Magistrate also questioned investigators regarding several medicines and unidentified substances wrapped in paper that had reportedly been found at the scene.

Police informed court that the medicines had initially been forwarded to the medical board that conducted the post-mortem examination, and added that they intended to request, through a motion, that the substances also be referred to the Government Analyst.

Court granted permission for the requests made by police.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Aravinda de Silva also testified before court during the magisterial inquiry.

De Silva explained how Chandrasena had been released from prison after bail was granted and how sureties had been arranged.

“The deceased Kapila Chandrasena is the husband of my wife’s younger sister. He had been living alone in Barnes Place. There were domestic workers at the house. After he was remanded, I visited him several times in prison,” De Silva told court.

He stated that after Chandrasena was granted bail, he had instructed an employee from his office to bring Chandrasena home and had also informed his wife to prepare food for him.

According to De Silva, Chandrasena had later returned to his own residence before coming back to stay at De Silva’s home after learning that he would have to appear in court again the following morning.

De Silva told court that Chandrasena had appeared distressed about the legal proceedings and had repeatedly said that he feared being sent back to prison.

“I told him not to worry and to relax, and that we would face whatever came in the morning,” De Silva said.

He further stated that the following morning, after Chandrasena failed to respond to phone calls or knocks on the bedroom door, the room had eventually been opened using a master key.

De Silva said that his wife and lawyer had seen the scene first and that he himself had not entered the room.

He added that Durdans Hospital and the Kollupitiya Police had then been informed, following which medical personnel arrived and confirmed Chandrasena’s death.

When questioned by CCD officers as to whether he suspected foul play in Chandrasena’s death, De Silva responded: “How can I suspect anything? He was sleeping in the room.”

Following De Silva’s testimony, his wife Priyanga Anushka Wijenayake also gave evidence before court.

She stated that Chandrasena had been married to her younger sister for around 24 years and that her sister currently resides in Australia.

She told court that Chandrasena had visited their home after being released on bail, where she had provided him with food and drinks before he briefly returned to his own residence.

Wijenayake further stated that Chandrasena had later returned to stay at their house after her husband met lawyers regarding the court proceedings.

She said that on the following morning, after Chandrasena failed to respond to knocks on the bedroom door, she had opened the room using a master key.

“After opening the door, I took only one step inside. No one was on the bed, and the chair had been turned towards the bathroom side. The lawyer told me to come outside,” she testified.

She added that an ambulance had later arrived and doctors confirmed Chandrasena’s death.

Responding to a question raised by police, Wijenayake stated that she did not suspect foul play in relation to the death.

The inquiry was postponed until 14 May for further evidence.