Two Sureties who Appeared on Behalf of Former Sri Lankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, Remanded

COLOMBO (News 1st): Colombo Additional Magistrate, Lahiru Silva, ordered today the remanding of two individuals who appeared in court to provide bail on behalf of former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena, who was released on bail yesterday after being held in remand custody.

The two individuals have been remanded until the 13th of May, after obtaining money to appear as sureties on behalf of Kapila Chandrasena.

Kapila Chandrasena, former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, had been remanded in connection with allegations of receiving a USD 2 million bribe in the purchase of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.

Presenting the suspects who had appeared in court and provided bail for him, Officer in charge of the Crime Branch of the Keselwatta Police Station, Sub Inspector Anuruddha, stated that the suspects were arrested and produced before the court after accepting Rs. 15,000 each to act as sureties, despite having no personal connection with Kapila Chandrasena or any knowledge of him.

The two remanded individuals are Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Irshan, who are residents of Sanchee Arachchiwatta, in Hulftsdorp.

Police further told the court that the magistrate had observed that, under the provisions of the Bail Act, the sureties would not be able to produce the accused in court when required, and that there was no connection between the accused and the sureties.

Police also stated that the suspects were arrested following a complaint made by court officials, after verifying the Grama Niladhari certificates submitted by them.

During questioning, the suspects reportedly revealed that they agreed to act as sureties at the request of two individuals named Deva and Tissa, and that they had been paid Rs. 15,000 for this purpose.

Police further stated that this constitutes an offence punishable under the provisions of the Bail Act No. 30 of 1997.

After considering the facts, the Additional Magistrate ordered the police to submit a comprehensive report on the suspects and their Grama Niladhari certification process, and remanded the suspects until the 13th of May.