Colombo (News 1st): On Friday, COPE Chairman and JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti alleged that on March 1st, 2013 the Board of SriLankan Airlines held a Special Board Meeting at the former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa’s official residence. The final decision to purchase eight A350-900 Airbus aircraft was taken at this meeting.

He also told Parliament that the Auditor General in his latest report had stated that this Board Meeting was “unusual”.

Former Speaker and MP Chamal Rajapaksa, responding immediately, stated that while he neither attended nor was aware of such a meeting at the time, he was only aware of such a meeting now, after a telephone call with the former CEO, Kapila Chandrsena.

News 1st is now in possession of a chain of emails showing the circumstances that led to that SriLankan Airlines board meeting held at the Speaker’s residence.

On February 21st, 2013, the Company Secretary informs all the members of the UL Board by e-mail that COPE had requested a Periodic Performance Review meeting with the Company.

On February 27th, 2013, one of the Board Members, Shamendra Rajapakse suggested to have the Board Meeting at the Parliament before the COPE meeting OR if that is not possible he OFFERS to arrange the conference room at the Speaker’s House.

On the same day the Company Secretary informs all board members by e-mail that the Special Board Meeting will now be held in the conference room at the Speaker’s House.

Incidentally, News 1st is also in possession of the Board Minutes of the special meeting of the board of directors of SriLankan Airlines held at the Speaker’s residence on the March 1st, 2013.