Srilankan says ready to cooperate with agencies for any investigation

Amid revelations that the wife of a Srilankan Arilines’ executive is embroiled in a US$ 2 million bribery scandal, the national carrier yesterday said it will cooperate with government agencies for any investigation/ prosecution relating to the matter.

“Srilankan Airlines Limited has become aware of a judgment in the United Kingdom related to a charge of corruption in the purchase/ lease of aircraft between the period 2011-2015 June.

Therefore the Chairman with the concurrence of the board has directed the management to cooperate fully with any governmental agency in the event of any investigation/prosecution,” a Srilankan Airlines statement said.

“The management has also been directed to preserve and study all available internal documentation with a view to take all possible corrective future action,” it added.

Meanwhile, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office said he had ordered a comprehensive probe into the matter.

“President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered a comprehensive investigation into reports of allegations over financial irregularities said to have committed during the deal between Srilankan Airlines and Airbus SE for the purchase of aircraft,” a statement from the President’s office said.

Up to US$ 16 million dollars had been offered in payments to the agent and at least US$ 22 million had been paid, a court filing in the UK, based on information obtained from Airbus said.