The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (19) that former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena has alleged that Rs 60 million was paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

According to the statement made by Chandrasena, who is currently a suspect in the Airbus bribery case, the funds were handed over to the former President on three separate occasions.

The Bribery Commission further revealed that Chandrasena’s statement also implicates former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne, alleging a payment of Rs 20 million was made to him. Following these disclosures, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama ordered that Kapila Chandrasena be further remanded until 2 April.

The investigation centres on a 2013 deal involving the purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft for the national carrier. Chandrasena was arrested on 12 March for allegedly accepting a bribe of $2 million through a shell company in Brunei registered under his wife’s name.