The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday that it had sought the assistance of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to unlock the mobile phone of former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena, whose death is under investigation.

Investigators told court that an email had been sent to the FBI and that further action regarding the device would depend on instructions received from the US agency.

The disclosure was made during the fifth consecutive day of the magisterial inquiry into Chandrasena’s death before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara.

During proceedings, CCD officers said President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne and junior counsel Udara Muhandiramge had been informed to appear and give evidence. However, the lawyers had notified court that they were unable to attend due to prior court commitments and requested that summons be issued for a future date.

The Magistrate noted that statements from 18 witnesses had already been recorded and questioned why investigators were seeking summons only for the 19th and 20th witnesses when earlier witnesses had appeared without formal summons.

Investigators responded that the two lawyers had indicated they would testify if summons were issued. However, the Magistrate observed that witnesses in the inquiry had thus far appeared upon notification by investigators without formal summons and ruled that the same procedure should continue, rejecting the CCD’s request.

Meanwhile, evidence was recorded from Indika Ratnayake, who stood as surety for Chandrasena’s bail.

Ratnayake told court that Chandrasena had contacted him before his arrest and requested that he be prepared to provide bail, advising him to keep the relevant Grama Niladhari documentation ready.

He testified that after Chandrasena was granted bail on 5 May, he signed a personal bail bond worth Rs. 10 million. Ratnayake further said he later met some of Chandrasena’s associates and members of the legal team, before learning of Chandrasena’s death on 8 May, following which he contacted one of the individuals involved to inquire about the incident.

He also told court that Chandrasena had informed him of the need for a surety even before being remanded.

Another witness, electrical technician Hemantha Samankumara, gave evidence regarding CCTV installation work carried out at a residence linked to Aravinda Silva.

The magisterial inquiry was postponed until 29 May.