Airbus Case: Court orders forfeiture of Rs. 40 Mn bail deposited by Aravinda de Silva and wife
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (30) ordered the forfeiture of bail money deposited by former Sri Lankan cricketer Aravinda de Silva and his wife on behalf of Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, a suspect in the investigation into the Airbus deal.
Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena issued the order in relation to the bail provided for Wijenayake, the wife of the late former airline executive Kapila Chandrasena.Wijenayake had been released on two bail bonds of Rs. 20 million each. The lawyer appearing on behalf of the sureties informed court that Rs. 20 million would be paid today.
The court granted permission for the payment and allowed the sureties until October 14 to pay the remaining amount.A warrant has been issued for Wijenayake after she failed to appear before court in connection with the Airbus deal investigation, while steps have also been taken to refer the warrant to Interpol.The court was informed that Wijenayake had travelled overseas after being granted bail.
The sureties sought relief from the court, stating that she was afraid to return to Sri Lanka following her husband’s death by suicide and due to fears for her own life. They also informed the court that she was currently beyond their control.However, the Magistrate rejected the request, noting that Wijenayake had failed to appear before court and that a warrant had been issued for her even before her husband’s death.Meanwhile, an international warrant has also been issued for Shamindra Rajapaksa, son of former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, who is the third suspect in the case.
