The Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court recalled warrants issued against former cricketer Aravinda de Silva and his wife after their legal representatives explained they were absent from a hearing due to funeral arrangements for de Silva's mother.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court ordered the withdrawal of warrants against former cricketer Aravinda de Silva and his wife on September 16, one day after the warrants were initially issued by Magistrate Pasan Amarasena. The couple had failed to appear at a scheduled hearing where they were required to provide submissions as sureties in a legal proceeding.
De Silva and his wife had stood surety for Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, identified as the wife of the late SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena and as the younger sister of de Silva's wife. The underlying case involves allegations of a USD 2 million bribe payment connected to Airbus aircraft purchases by the airline, with Chandrasena named as a suspect.
When the couple did not attend the hearing, Magistrate Amarasena issued the warrants for their failure to explain why their bail obligations should not be confiscated. However, their legal counsel subsequently appeared before the court via motion, submitting that de Silva and his wife had been unable to attend due to funeral rites for de Silva's mother. On this basis, the Magistrate ordered the recall of the warrants.
Chandrasena died recently, with his body discovered at de Silva's residence. De Silva and his wife both provided testimony before the Fort Magistrate's Court regarding the death earlier in the year.