UPDATE: Kapila Chandrasena remanded

Colombo (News 1st): The former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayaka were remanded until the 19th of February by the Fort Magistrate's Court and their applications for bail was dismissed. They were produced before the Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake this evening. Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige appearing for the Attorney General said when questioned by the detectives both the accused had maintained a position they were not aware of money being deposited to the female suspect's bank account or how the account was opened. They had maintained a position, they were not connected to these events. However, Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige said the sum of US$ 02 million sent to the female suspect's account was transferred to the account maintained by either one or two people in Sri Lanka. He pointed out, as the agreement signed for the purchasing of aircraft was not enforced, the Government of Sri Lanka will have to pay the money deposited to the said account with interest. Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige maintained as the investigations are complex in nature, granting bail to the suspects before they are over would compromise their efforts. To give you a brief background on this developing story: On Monday, Attorney General Dappula De Livera directed the CID Chief to arrest and produce ex-CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayaka as suspects on charges of money laundering in the SriLankan Airlines - Airbus re-fleet deal, which involved a bribe of US$ 02 million for the purchasing of 10 aircraft from Airbus. That very evening, Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake issued the warrants for their arrest.