A high-level discussion on the importance of preparing for Sri Lanka’s upcoming Mutual Evaluation by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism was held at the Presidential Secretariat under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The meeting was attended by members of the Cabinet of Ministers, Secretaries to the Ministries, officials from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and representatives of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
During the discussion, the Financial Intelligence Unit highlighted the pressing need to implement Cabinet-approved action plans developed for 24 stakeholder institutions, including ministries, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies. These action plans prioritize key areas such as legislative reforms, capacity building, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and the maintenance of comprehensive statistical records in line with recommendations by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
President Dissanayake underscored the importance of appointing dedicated teams to ensure full compliance with the action plans and instructed all relevant parties, including the FIU, Ministers, Secretaries, and officials, to closely monitor their implementation.
The President also called for collective commitment to this initiative, emphasizing that a robust and effective framework to prevent money laundering and combat terrorism financing is vital for safeguarding Sri Lanka’s financial stability. He noted that such efforts are crucial for maintaining international confidence in the nation’s economy and achieving a favorable evaluation outcome.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, and Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also present at the event.
