Police have launched a special investigation into whether the alleged use of fake sureties for former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena had any connection to his sudden death.
The matter was revealed before court today (20), where police stated that broad investigations were underway to determine whether the fake bail process may have contributed in any way to Chandrasena’s death.
Meanwhile, Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva today ordered the release on strict bail conditions of four suspects accused of falsely appearing as sureties on behalf of Chandrasena and aiding the process.
The Magistrate ordered each suspect to be released on two surety bails of Rs. 500,000 each and also imposed overseas travel bans on all four suspects.
The suspects released on bail were identified as Mohammed Rizwan, Mohammed Irshan, B.A. Thissa and Perumal Ganesh, all residents of Sanchi Arachchiwatte near the Aluthkade Court Complex.
Court further ordered the suspects to submit Grama Niladhari certificates confirming their residences as well as proof of assets.
Presenting facts before court, Keselwatta Police Crime Division OIC Sub-Inspector K.W.D. Anuruddha stated that the suspects had signed bail documents on 5 May in relation to a case being heard before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
However, he informed court that the main suspect in that case, Kapila Chandrasena, had since died.
The officer further stated that inquiries conducted with Keselwatta Grama Niladhari S. Nilantha Silva had revealed that the first and second suspects had been legally residing in the Keselwatta area from 2019 to 2025.
Police also revealed that the two suspects had obtained a total of 17 Grama Niladhari certificates between January and May 2026. According to investigators, the first suspect had obtained 10 certificates while the second suspect had obtained seven certificates.
Sub-Inspector Anuruddha said investigations were continuing into the issuance of those certificates.
He further informed court that analytical reports relating to the mobile phone records of the relevant Grama Niladhari had also been submitted to court and would be examined as part of ongoing investigations.
Police alleged that the third suspect, identified as Thissa, had remained within court premises and continuously acted as a surety for various individuals, directly aiding the alleged offence.
Investigators further stated that the fourth suspect, Ganesh, had allegedly organised the arrangements required to obtain bail and had only become acquainted with the other suspects after arriving at the court premises.
Police also told court that the first, second and third suspects had no personal knowledge of the individual for whom they stood bail and had no familial relationship with him.
In addition, investigators stated that a confidential statement had been recorded from another party in relation to the incident and that further inquiries were being conducted based on that information.
Police argued that since the individual released on bail had now died, there was a need to further investigate whether the fake bail process had any bearing on his death. Investigators requested court to continue remanding the suspects, stating that releasing them on bail could obstruct ongoing investigations into the death.
However, appearing for the suspects, Attorney-at-Law Sanjaya Gamage argued that his clients had been remanded without any specific offence being clearly established against them.
After considering the submissions, the Additional Magistrate ordered the suspects to be released on bail and fixed the case for recall on 25 June.
