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Ongoing case related to former SriLankan CEO Kapila has become one of the keenly followed stories recently. Amidst the commotion, a misleading claim began circulating on social media, alleging that a former minister under the SLPP had made a statement in connection with the matter. What follows is our fact-checking investigation into that viral claim.
Social Media Posts:
The post claims that former Minister and retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara stated that the Rs. 60 million received by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was entirely spent on charitable activities.
Another post, shared under the same theme and displayed with the official Ada Derana logo, posed a pointed question: “If someone steals and then gives the money to charity, does that cancel out the theft?” This highlights how the content is being presented in a way that questions and challenges the narrative, further amplifying attention while circulating the claim.
As a result, many people shared these social media posts in the belief that they were true, while others also expressed opinions assuming them to be factual. In response, we undertook a thorough investigation to verify their accuracy.
Fact Check:
The case related to the Airbus deal was heard yesterday (19) at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. According to findings revealed by the Bribery Commission, widely reported across major media outlets, the accused former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena, is alleged to have stated that a Rs. 60 million transaction was passed on to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Details here, here and here
However, the claim circulating on social media, allegedly stated by former Minister Sarath Weerasekara, has not been reported by any mainstream media outlet. Since one Facebook post was shared with the official “Ada Derana” logo, we further verified whether such a report had been published. Our review of Ada Derana’s coverage shows that while the former Minister attended a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna press conference, no reference was made to the Airbus deal or the related court proceedings in that report. Details here
However, media reports state that at a press conference held yesterday (19) by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, its General Secretary, Attorney Sagara Kariyawasam, alleged that the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Ranga Dissanayake, had threatened Kapila Chandrasena and forced the former SriLankan CEO to make such a statement linking the former president. Details here
Former Minister Sarath Weerasekara denies the viral posts
To further verify the authenticity of the claims circulating on social media, we contacted former Minister and retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara directly by phone. He firmly stated that the posts shared in his name are completely false and have no basis in truth.
The former Minister clarified that while he attended the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna press conference on the 19th, where he expressed views on various matters, he made no comments whatsoever regarding the Airbus deal or the related case.
Meanwhile, he also addressed the issue on his official Facebook account, emphasising that the circulating post is nothing more than misleading and false propaganda.
Revelation: Allegations that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa received funds from the Airbus deal
The Bribery Commission informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (19) that, in connection with the Airbus deal, funds allegedly received as bribes by former Sri Lankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena were passed on to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne. According to the Commission, Chandrasena is said to have stated that, following a request from former President Rajapaksa in 2015, he paid a total of Rs. 60 million disbursed in three instalments of Rs. 20 million each. Investigations further revealed that portions of these funds were also credited to an account belonging to Shammindra Rajapaksa, a former board member of SriLankan Airlines. Police Inspector Dilum Dushyantha, presenting an additional report on behalf of the Commission, informed the court that on the morning of his arrest, Chandrasena appeared before the Bribery Commission with his lawyer, indicating his willingness to provide further information. The lawyer had requested that his client be treated as a witness rather than a suspect and submitted an affidavit via WhatsApp to the Commission’s Station Head.
The affidavit reportedly mentioned the names Shammindra Rajapaksa and Priyankara Jayaratne, along with reference to others. Following this, senior officials sought guidance from the Director General, who instructed them to “state the truth and clearly identify who the ‘others’ were.” The investigation further presented detailed, documented evidence outlining the alleged distribution of funds. It was revealed that Rs. 20 million was given to then Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne. Additionally, after Chandrasena resigned as CEO on March 8, 2015, former President Rajapaksa is said to have requested funds on multiple occasions, receiving Rs. 20 million at a residence in Beliatta and two separate payments of Rs. 20 million each at Carlton House in Tangalle, totalling Rs. 60 million.
However, Chandrasena’s legal team contested these claims in court, alleging that he was coerced into giving statements, claiming the Director General of the Commission exerted pressure and threats to obtain testimony. The lawyers further argued that their client was threatened with death and questioned why he was not allowed to meet the Director General in the presence of his legal counsel. They also claimed that the alleged incident occurred while his junior lawyer had stepped away for a meal break.
Kapila Chandrasena re-remanded
The former Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, through his legal counsel, requested the court to grant bail. However, the Assistant Director General of the Bribery Commission, Tanuja Bandara, strongly opposed the request on behalf of the Commission. After considering submissions from both parties, the Chief Magistrate of Colombo ordered that the suspect be further remanded until April 2. Meanwhile, related to the other suspects named in the case, Chandrasena’s wife and Shammindra Rajapaksa, the Magistrate directed the Bribery Commission to proceed with presenting evidence on the matter on the 24th. Chandrasena and his wife, Neomali Wijenayake, have been accused of accepting a bribe of USD 2 million in connection with SriLankan Airlines’ 2013 purchase of six Airbus A330 aircraft and eight A350 aircraft. Chandrasena was arrested by the Bribery Commission on March 12 in connection with investigations conducted under the Bribery Act and the Anti-Corruption Act. Further details are available through the relevant reports. Details here, here and here
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Conclusion:
Our investigation shows that former Minister Sarath Weerasekara did not make any statement claiming that the Rs. 60 million allegedly received by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was entirely spent on charitable activities. Although the former Minister attended the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna press conference held on 19th March, from which the images for the viral posts had been captured, he made no remarks regarding the Airbus deal during the event.
Title: Did former Minister Sarath Weerasekara claim that Rs. 60 million received by Mahinda Rajapaksa was spent on charitable activities?
Fact Check By: Sagarika Chathumali
Result: False
