Colombo: SriLankan Airlines has accused a group of Indian employees in its Chennai office of misappropriating approximately ₹22 million through fraudulent financial transactions.
In an official statement released on Saturday, May 16, 2026, the national carrier of Sri Lanka detailed how the alleged fraud involved the manipulation of invoices, payment records, and signatures. The airline specified that the individuals concerned were Indian nationals employed in the finance department at its Chennai branch.
“ With regard to the misappropriation of funds at SriLankan Airlines’ office in Chennai, the airline wishes to inform that a few employees, all Indian nationals working in the finance department in Chennai are alleged to have misappropriated a total of INR 22 million over a period of time by fraudulently altering invoices, payment details and signatures,” the statement read.
The carrier did not disclose the exact timeframe over which the alleged irregularities occurred. Authorities in India have been notified, and probes are underway to trace and recover the misappropriated amount, according to the airline.
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SriLankan Airlines also referenced a separate incident involving an erroneous payment to a service provider in the United Arab Emirates, which occurred after one of its email accounts was compromised.
The developments come as the airline, which has faced financial challenges in recent years, works to strengthen internal controls and safeguard its operations. Officials have described the matter as isolated but emphasized their commitment to full cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
This is not the first time aviation companies in the region have reported internal financial irregularities, underscoring the need for robust auditing mechanisms in cross-border operations. SriLankan Airlines, which maintains significant business ties with Indian cities including Chennai, continues to operate flights connecting Sri Lanka with several Indian destinations.
Investigations by Indian law enforcement are ongoing, with the airline expressing confidence that the process will help recover the funds and identify any systemic vulnerabilities. No arrests have been publicly reported so far.