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Namal Rajapaksa arrested in Airbus corruption probe
Namal Rajapaksa, a Member of Parliament and leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), was arrested on September 4, 2026, by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The arrest follows a five-hour interrogation regarding alleged corruption in a 2013 deal to procure Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.
Investigators allege that approximately US$800,000 was transferred through Singaporean bank accounts to a company linked to a Sri Lankan businessman, who then allegedly provided Rs. 100 million to Rajapaksa. The Colombo Chief Magistrate has ordered Rajapaksa to be remanded in custody until September 18.
The SLPP has characterized the arrest as a politically motivated attempt to disrupt upcoming anti-government public rallies, including a major event scheduled for September 12 in Anuradhapura. Rajapaksa has denied all wrongdoing, stating he is prepared to face a fair and transparent investigation.
Entities
Airbus · Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption · Mahinda Rajapaksa · Namal Rajapaksa · Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna · SriLankan Airlines
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 11 SOURCES] Namal Rajapaksa has questioned the timing of his arrest, suggesting it is politically motivated. www.battinews.com · www.hindimilap.com · www.newmannar.lk · srilankachronicle.com · english.gossiplankanews.com · +4 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] The arrest is linked to an investigation into the 2013 acquisition of Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft for SriLankan Airlines. www.newmannar.lk · srilankabrief.org · thecsrjournal.in · www.news18.com · www.hindimilap.com · +6 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] Namal Rajapaksa has been remanded until September 18. thecsrjournal.in · www.news18.com · www.hindimilap.com · www.newmannar.lk · srilankachronicle.com · +6 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The investigation concerns allegations that the Rajapaksa family received a 60 million rupee bribe during the aircraft transaction. srilankabrief.org · www.hindimilap.com · www.newmannar.lk · srilankachronicle.com · asianmirror.lk · +6 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Rajapaksa stated he would welcome a fair and transparent investigation if evidence exists. www.battinews.com · english.gossiplankanews.com · www.tv9hindi.com
- [● 13 SOURCES] Namal Rajapaksa was arrested by the Bribery Commission on September 4, 2026. www.newmannar.lk · srilankabrief.org · thecsrjournal.in · www.news18.com · www.hindimilap.com · +6 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] US$800,000 was reportedly transferred to an account at OCBC Bank, Singapore, held under Sabre Vision Holdings Ltd. srilankabrief.org · asianmirror.lk · www.newindianexpress.com · www.battinews.com · www.hindimilap.com · +5 more