FBI Assistance Sought to Unlock Chandrasena's Phone

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Crimes Division informed the Fort Magistrate’s Court today that assistance has been sought from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI to unlock the mobile phone of Kapila Chandrasena.

Investigating officers stated that the request was made via email and that further action regarding the mobile phone will be taken based on the instructions received.

The magisterial inquiry into the death of former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena continued for a fifth day today before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena.

Two witnesses appeared before court today, and after recording their testimony, investigating officers informed court that President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne and his junior counsel had been requested to appear to provide further evidence.

Investigating officers stated that the two lawyers were unable to appear in court today due to official court duties, and requested that summons be issued for them to appear on a future date to record their statements.

The Magistrate stated that testimonies from 18 individuals have already been recorded as part of the inquest.

Emphasising that no summons had been issued to previous witnesses to appear before court, the Magistrate questioned why a different approach was being sought in this instance.

In response, investigating officers said that the two lawyers had indicated they would appear to give evidence if summons were issued.

The Magistrate ruled that since 18 witnesses had appeared before court and testified based on requests made by investigators without formal summons, the same procedure should be followed for these witnesses as well.

Accordingly, the Magistrate rejected the request to issue summons to President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne and his junior counsel, who had provided legal representation to Kapila Chandrasena.

Meanwhile, Indika Rathnayake, who had stood as a surety to secure bail for Chandrasena, testified before court today.

His testimony revealed that Chandrasena had informed him, even before being remanded, to be prepared to act as a bail surety.

Extract of Witness Statement:

“I cannot recall the exact date, but around late February or early March, Mr. Kapila called me and said, ‘Indika, I need a big favour. I may need you to stand surety for my bail. Please be ready and arrange the necessary Grama Niladhari certificates.’

I followed his instructions and prepared everything. On May 5, I saw that he had been granted bail. I then contacted Attorney-at-Law Udara and said I was ready to stand surety. 

He asked me to come to court, and I signed for a personal bail of 10 million rupees. After completing that, I left court. 

On May 7, Mr. Aravinda called me and asked me to come and meet a lawyer. I went to his residence, and then Mr. Aravinda, his wife, Chamil, Shantha, Ferdy, and I travelled in his vehicle to meet the lawyer. 

After the meeting, we returned to his house. Dinner had been prepared there. Mr. Kapila also came to the dining table. After dinner, I left. The next morning, on May 8, I saw in the news that Mr. Kapila had passed away.”

Following this testimony, statements were also recorded from electrician Hemantha Samankumara, who had arrived to install CCTV cameras at the residence of Aravinda de Silva.

The inquiry is scheduled to resume on May 29.