Sri Lankan Ex-Airline CEO Found Dead Amid Airbus Bribery Scandal

May 8, 2026

49 min

May 8, 2026 07:30

Sri Lankan ex-CEO linked to Airbus bribes found dead

## Former CEO's Death

Kapila Chandrasena, the former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, was discovered deceased at a relative's home in Colombo. Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

## Bribery Allegations

Chandrasena faced charges related to a $16 million bribe from Airbus, linked to a $2.3 billion aircraft purchase deal. He was initially remanded in March but released earlier this week before a court ordered his re-arrest for allegedly bribing individuals to secure bail.

## Political Implications

During investigations, Chandrasena reportedly implicated former President Mahinda Rajapakse and then aviation minister Piyankara Jayaratne in the bribery scheme. Rajapakse, who led Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015, has denied these allegations, labeling them as politically motivated.

## Ongoing Investigations

SriLankan Airlines, burdened with significant debt, has struggled to find a buyer. Chandrasena's name surfaced in international investigations into Airbus's business practices, leading to a $4 billion fine for the company. The US sanctioned Chandrasena in 2024 for his involvement in the bribery case.

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