Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena was found dead early Friday morning at the residence of former Sri Lankan cricketer Aravinda de Silva in Kollupitiya, according to Sri Lankan police.
Police said Chandrasena’s body was discovered at the house on Pedris Place, owned by de Silva, who is also his brother-in-law. Reports indicate Chandrasena had arrived at the residence on Thursday evening. A magisterial inquiry was subsequently launched at the scene.
The death came just one day after the Colombo Chief Magistrate issued a warrant for Chandrasena’s arrest over allegations that court-imposed bail conditions had been breached through the submission of fraudulent sureties.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) told court that the sureties submitted on Chandrasena’s behalf were allegedly paid individuals, raising concerns that the conditions of his bail had been violated. According to local media reports, police officers attempting to execute the warrant at his Barnes Place residence were unable to locate him.
Kollupitiya Police have informed court that the death is being treated as suspicious, with investigations ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities stated that a post-mortem examination and further forensic inquiries are currently underway.
Chandrasena had long been embroiled in controversy surrounding SriLankan Airlines’ Airbus procurement deal. He and his wife were accused of accepting an estimated US$2 million bribe linked to the national carrier’s aircraft purchases and of laundering funds through overseas bank accounts.