The United States has imposed sanctions and visa restrictions on two former Sri Lankan officials, citing their involvement in significant corruption during their tenure in the Rajapaksa government.
Kapila Chandrasena, the former CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines, and Udayanga Weeratunga, Sri Lanka’s former ambassador to Russia, have been publicly designated under Section 7031(c) of the U.S. Department of State’s sanctions framework.
This designation also extends to their immediate family members, barring them from entering the United States. Chandrasena is accused of accepting bribes to ensure the purchase of overpriced Airbus aircraft for Sri Lankan Airlines. Meanwhile, Weeratunga allegedly orchestrated a corrupt scheme involving the procurement of MiG aircraft for the Sri Lankan Air Force, personally benefiting from the deal. The U.S. action reflects its continued commitment to combating corruption globally and holding individuals accountable for abusing public office for personal gain. This move is likely to increase scrutiny on Sri Lanka’s political and economic sectors, particularly on officials implicated in corruption during the Rajapaksa administration.
