The organization “Free Lawyers” has today (22) requested the Speaker to immediately initiate a parliamentary investigation into an incident where USD 2.5 million, which was supposed to be paid by the Sri Lankan Treasury to a foreign country, was instead credited to the account of a cyber hacker.
It is alleged that this payment—intended as part of a foreign debt settlement due in September 2025—was not sent to the relevant country but diverted to a third party.
This serious revelation was made through a letter sent to the Speaker by a group including prominent civil activist and President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne.
According to the letter, the USD 2.5 million paid by the government as a loan installment between December 2025 and January 2026 has not reached the relevant creditor. Under the new Finance Act, responsibility for such payments lies with the Department of External Resources and the Public Debt Management Office.
In connection with this financial irregularity, five officials—including Treasury directors and the head of the IT division—have already been suspended, and an internal technical investigation committee has been appointed.
However, Maithri Gunaratne points out that a payment of this magnitude cannot be executed without the approval of the Treasury Secretary and Deputy Treasury Secretary. Therefore, he raises concerns about the transparency of an investigation conducted by a committee operating under those same officials.
Since the ultimate responsibility for public finance lies with Parliament, the organization has requested the Speaker to ensure a full, independent investigation conducted by a group outside the Ministry of Finance.
Copies of the letter have also been sent to Harsha de Silva, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance, and to the Auditor General.
