The United States has imposed sanctions and visa restrictions on two prominent Sri Lankans, former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, along with their immediate family members.
This action is part of the US government’s ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for corruption. Announced just ahead of International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day, the US State Department reaffirmed its commitment to fostering global accountability for corruption and human rights violations.
Chandrasena is accused of accepting bribes to facilitate the purchase of overpriced Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines, while Weeratunga is implicated in leading a corrupt scheme related to the purchase of MiG aircraft for the Sri Lankan Air Force. As a result, both individuals have been designated under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State Appropriations Act, rendering them ineligible for entry into the United States.
