News
CIABOC tells court Kapila gave Rs 60 mn to MR and Rs. 20 mn to Priyankara
USD 2.3 billion Airbus deal
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena had admitted delivering a total of Rs. 60 million in three instalments of Rs. 20 million each to the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Rs. 20 million to Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne. The funds were allegedly linked to the controversial Airbus aircraft deal.
Chandrasena, who was arrested on March 12 over bribery allegations connected to the deal, was further remanded until April 2 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama. He was produced before court yesterday by prison officials.
Investigators say Chandrasena is accused of accepting a US$2 million bribe in the transaction and conspiring to secure a total of US$16 million. They also allege that €1.45 million was transferred to a bank account in Singapore.
Prosecutors told court that Chandrasena had created a shell company in Brunei in his wife’s name to channel the kickbacks into its Singapore account.
The case stems from a 2013 agreement in which SriLankan Airlines purchased 10 aircraft valued at US$2.3 billion. Court proceedings are ongoing.The court fixed the date for March 24 to consider evidence with regard to issue warrants for Priyanka Neomali Wijearatne and Shamindra Rajapaksa.
By AJA Abeynayake
A discussion with the Catholic Council was held on Thursday (21) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Discussions focused on administrative issues relating to Catholic schools taken over by the Government, the formulation of a structured teacher cadre system for Catholic religious education, the need to recruit Catholic nuns and priests into the teaching profession and the establishment of a mechanism to obtain the support of the Ministry of Education for the administration of Government-acquired Catholic schools.
It was also decided that discussions with the Catholic Council would be held three times annually, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage would serve as Secretary to the forum.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the Catholic Council, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith thanked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Government for facilitating the discussion.
His Eminence further stated that the expectation was to ensure every student, without discrimination, is given the opportunity to learn his or her own religion and stressed the importance of resolving the prevailing issues within the education sector.
Also present at the occasion were Most Rev. Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Most Rev. Bishop Christy Noel Emmanuel, Most Rev. Bishop Anton Ranjith, Most Rev. Bishop Wimal Siri Jayasuriya, other clergy representing the Catholic Council, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.
(PMD)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to broaden the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which was launched last year. Unlike the inaugural edition held in November 2025 that featured eight Associate teams, the second edition will comprise 10 teams, including five Test-playing nations. The tournament is scheduled to be held in November this year.
Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE, which arrived in Colombo (21 May 2026) on a replenishment visit, departed the island today (22 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship in compliance with naval traditions at the port of Colombo.
During her brief stay in Colombo, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Antonio BUFIS called on the Commander Western Naval Area at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Catholic Council reconvenes after nine years
ICC to widen Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy
Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE departs following replenishment visit
PM meets Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations
Tennessee execution called off after failed lethal injection
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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