COPF Seeks Accountability After Multi-Million Dollar Breach

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka’s parliamentary Committee on Public Finance has called for a detailed report from the Central Bank following a cybercrime incident involving the alleged theft of USD 2.5 million from the Treasury.

The matter came under the spotlight during a meeting of the Committee held yesterday (8) at the Parliamentary complex, where members convened specifically to examine the circumstances surrounding the cyberattack that targeted state funds. 

Finance Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe appeared before the Committee to provide explanations and respond to initial findings contained in a report presented during the session.

Committee Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva, speaking after the meeting, said that while the report submitted was reviewed in detail, it also brought to light a number of additional issues that require further clarification. 

He noted that two differing viewpoints had surfaced regarding accountability, with one position asserting that the Central Bank bears a significant share of responsibility, while the Bank itself has contested this interpretation.

Dr. de Silva confirmed that the Central Bank had not previously received the report in question, and it was formally handed over to its representatives during the meeting. The Bank has since undertaken to submit a comprehensive response within one week, which will then be reviewed by the Committee as part of continued investigations.

He further indicated that once the Central Bank’s response is received, the Committee will reconvene to examine discrepancies between the two reports and determine how those inconsistencies can be resolved.

Despite the ongoing debate over responsibility, Dr. de Silva emphasized that one key issue has already been clearly identified: serious shortcomings in procedural systems. He stated that the incident cannot simply be shifted from one institution to another.