The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that it has sought assistance from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to unlock the mobile phone of former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena, whose death is currently under investigation.
Investigators told court that an email request had been sent to the FBI, and that further action regarding the device would depend on instructions received from the US agency.
The disclosure was made during the fifth consecutive day of the magisterial inquiry before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara.
During proceedings, CCD officers said President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne and junior counsel Udara Muhandiramge had been requested to give evidence. However, both lawyers informed court that they were unable to attend due to prior commitments and requested that summons be issued for a later date.
The Magistrate observed that statements from 18 witnesses had already been recorded and questioned why investigators were seeking formal summons only for the 19th and 20th witnesses when earlier witnesses had appeared without such orders.
Investigators responded that the lawyers were willing to testify if summons were issued, but the Magistrate ruled that the same informal procedure used for earlier witnesses should continue and rejected the CCD’s request.
Meanwhile, evidence was recorded from Indika Ratnayake, who stood as surety for Chandrasena’s bail. He told court that the deceased had contacted him before his arrest and requested him to be prepared to provide bail, advising him to keep relevant Grama Niladhari documentation ready.
Ratnayake further stated that after Chandrasena was granted bail on 5 May, he signed a personal bail bond worth Rs. 10 million. He also said he later met associates and members of the legal team before learning of Chandrasena’s death on 8 May.
Another witness, electrical technician Hemantha Samankumara, testified regarding CCTV installation work carried out at a residence linked to Aravinda Silva.
The magisterial inquiry was adjourned until 29 May.
