Sri Lanka arrests ex-president’s son over Airbus deal
Summary
Sri Lanka’s anti-graft body arrested lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa in connection with a corruption probe into a 2013 Airbus purchase. The investigation centers on alleged kickbacks linked to the deal, which was later cancelled in 2016.
Key Points
- Sri Lanka’s CIABOC arrested lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa over a corruption probe into a 2013 Airbus aircraft purchase.
- The probe alleges that Airbus channelled part of the deal money to senior Sri Lankan officials and politicians, including possible kickbacks to the Rajapaksa family.
- Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was questioned in May, and his family has denied the allegations as politically motivated.
- SriLankan Airlines has suffered heavy losses, and repeated attempts to privatise the debt-laden carrier have failed.
