Sanjeewa Jayaweera, whose article is entitled “SriLankan Airlines Airbus Scandal, the Deaths of Kapila Chandrasena, and My Brother Rajeewa”
Most Sri Lankans believe corruption is deeply entrenched in our country, with politicians and politically connected individuals the primary beneficiaries. Yet, only a minuscule number of corruption cases are exposed through credible investigations, and even fewer result in successful prosecutions.
Against that backdrop, the exposure of the SriLankan Airlines–Airbus bribery scandal stands out as one of the most significant investigations linked to Sri Lanka, albeit by overseas investigators. Credit must go first to officials at UK Export Finance (UKEF), and subsequently to the investigation conducted by the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
Ironically, a poorly concealed, amateurly structured bribe involving the wife of the then-CEO of SriLankan Airlines became one of the catalysts for a global corruption investigation that ultimately led to Airbus paying penalties totalling approximately EUR 4 billion in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States.
In my article published today in The Sunday Island, I examine the scandal, the legal proceedings, and the wider implications for Sri Lanka. I also highlight the stark injustice that Sri Lankan taxpayers bore the cost of a tainted aircraft transaction, while foreign governments benefited from the massive financial penalties imposed on Airbus.
The successive governments of Sri Lanka and the SriLankan Airlines boards should also be questioned for not pursuing compensation from Airbus in relation to this transaction.
I have also addressed and corrected a widely repeated inaccuracy regarding the death of my late brother, Rajeewa Jayaweera. Contrary to claims made in some quarters, his death was not connected to his article of 16 February 2020 exposing the SriLankan Airlines–Airbus deal.
In addition to the link to the article, I have also attached a PDF of the article for those living overseas who are unable to access the link.
Regards, Sanjeewa
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SriLankan_Airbus_Scandal and deaths of Kapila Chandrasena and my brother Rajeewa
