Kapila Chandrasena
Kapila Chandrasena (Sinhala: කපිල චන්ද්රසේන; December 1964 – 8 May 2026) was a Sri Lankan airline and telecommunications executive. He was the CEO of SriLankan Airlines until 9 March 2015.[1] Prior to this role, he was the CEO of Mihin Lanka[2] and Mobitel.[3] He also was the chief marketing officer of Sri Lanka Telecom.[4]
Early life and education
Kapila Chandrasena was born in December 1964.[5] He studied at Royal College, Colombo, and obtained a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Chicago and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Melbourne.
Controversy
Chandrasena and his wife are alleged to have been involved in a US$2 million bribe in purchasing aircraft for SriLankan Airlines, and subsequent money laundering by transfer to an Australian bank.[6] In February 2020, a warrant was issued by the Sri Lankan Law Enforcement Authority for the arrest of Chandrasena and his wife. He was subsequently released on bail.
The allegations were proved in an approved judgement delivered on 31 January 2020 by the Southwark Crown Court, in the case between Director of the Serious Fraud Office vs. Airbus SE. The bribe of US$2 million has been listed as Count 2: Sri Lanka.[7][8][9]
On 12 March 2026, Chandrasena was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with investigations into the controversial Airbus deal and was remanded by the Colombo Magistrate's court.[10] He was subsequently granted bail on 5 May 2026.[11] However, after the court determined that Chandrasena had violated bail conditions following a complaint made by CIABOC, the Colombo Chief Magistrate issued a warrant for his arrest on 7 May 2026 to return him to custody.[12]
Death
Chandrasena was found dead at his home in Kollupitiya, Colombo, on 8 May 2026, at the age of 61.[13][14] In a report to the Fort Magistrate's Court, the Sri Lanka Police stated that the incident was being treated as a suspicious death and that further investigations were underway.[15]
References
- ↑ Kapila Chandrasena Archived 3 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine - Aviation Guide Emerging Markets
- ↑ Q&A Kapila Chandrasena - CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines The Report- 6 June 2012
- ↑ Kapila new CEO at Mobitel Sunday Times- 5 May 2013
- ↑ SLT hankers after being an IT solutions provider Telecom Paper - 25 May 2004
- ↑ "Kapila Chandrasena". Companies House, GOV.UK. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "SriLankan Ex-CEO Kapila Chandrasena And Wife Neomali To Be Arrested Over Rs 17 Billion Airbus Deal". Colombo Telegraph. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ↑ "Director of the Serious Fraud Office v. Airbus SE" (PDF). Courts and Tribunals Judiciary UK. 31 January 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "Arrest ex- SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena, wife over Air Bus deal: AG". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ↑ "AG directs CID to arrest former SriLankan CEO and wife over Airbus deal". Colombo Gazette. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ↑ "Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena arrested on bribery charge". Ada Derana. 12 March 2026. Archived from the original on 13 March 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena granted bail". Ada Derana. 5 May 2026. Archived from the original on 6 May 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "Court orders arrest of former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena". Ada Derana. 7 May 2026. Archived from the original on 7 May 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena found dead - Police". Ada Derana. 8 May 2026. Archived from the original on 8 May 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ Farzan, Zulfick (8 May 2026). "Ex–SriLankan Airlines CEO Found Dead Hours After Court Issues Fresh Arrest Warrant". Newsfirst. Archived from the original on 8 May 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "Police report facts to court over 'suspicious' death of Kapila Chandrasena". Ada Derana. 8 May 2026. Archived from the original on 8 May 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.