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Sri Lankan Lawmaker Faces Charges in Airbus Bribery Case

October 31, 2026

3 min read

Key Takeaways

Sri Lankan lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa faces 24 charges in Airbus bribery case.
Alleged bribe linked to SriLankan Airlines' purchase of Airbus aircraft.
Rajapaksa denies wrongdoing, remains in custody.
Case involves 2013 aircraft order for six A330-300s and four A350-900s.

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Strategic Implications

This case may indicate a broader crackdown on corruption in the global aerospace industry, which could have significant implications for companies operating in high-risk markets. The involvement of high-profile individuals suggests that authorities are taking a tougher stance on bribery and corruption, which could lead to increased scrutiny and compliance costs for aerospace companies.

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What Happened

High-Profile Corruption Investigation Targets Former President's Son

Sri Lankan lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa, the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, faces 24 charges in connection with an alleged bribe linked to SriLankan Airlines’ purchase of Airbus aircraft. The case involves a 2013 aircraft order for six A330-300s and four A350-900s, with investigators alleging that money connected to the transaction passed through overseas companies and bank accounts before reaching Rajapaksa. The indictment also names several other individuals and companies, including Biz Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. The case is part of a wider investigation into corruption and bribery in the aerospace industry, with Airbus having agreed to pay over $3.9 billion to resolve bribery and export-control cases in 2020. This development was first reported by AeroTime.

Source | Originally Published: October 31, 2026

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