The Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court has ordered the forfeiture of two bail bonds worth Rs.20 million each that had been provided on behalf of Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, a suspect in the investigation connected to the SriLankan Airlines Airbus transaction.
The two bonds total Rs.40 million.
Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Aravinda de Silva and his wife had stood as sureties for Wijenayake.
The court was informed that Rs.20 million would be paid immediately, while additional time was allowed for payment of the remaining Rs.20 million.
Current reports conflict on the precise deadline set for payment of the balance. Sineth News is therefore not stating a date for the remaining payment without confirmation from the court record.
A warrant has been issued for Wijenayake after she failed to appear before court.
Reports also state that steps have been taken in connection with international law-enforcement notification regarding the outstanding warrant.
The sureties sought relief from the court and referred to Wijenayake's reluctance to return to Sri Lanka following the death of her husband and concerns for her safety.
The Magistrate rejected the request for relief.
The forfeiture order concerns the obligations attached to the bail bonds following the suspect's non-appearance.
It is not a finding that Aravinda de Silva or his wife participated in the alleged Airbus-related wrongdoing.
Wijenayake remains a suspect, and the allegations against her have not been established as criminal guilt.
This proceeding is also legally distinct from the separate Airbus-related proceedings involving MP Namal Rajapaksa.