The Free Lawyers organisation stated the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) should publicly explain what transpired in the alleged US$ 2.5 million diversion linked to a Government payment, and clarify its role in the transactions in question.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (4), former Governor and Free Lawyers organisation member Rajith Keethi Tennakoon alleged the CBSL has remained unresponsive despite multiple attempts to seek clarification. “The CBSL is not speaking a word about this. They don’t respond to anything, electronic mail, WhatsApp, telephone calls, text or anything. They should tell the country what happened.”

He also questioned as to why the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) had not raised any queries regarding the CBSL’s involvement in the incident. “Last week, the COPF did not question anything from the CBSL. I heard that seven of these transactions have been carried out by the CBSL. Where is their accountability? Is the CBSL not accountable for anything or subjected to any oversight from anyone?” he queried.

Attempts to contact the CBSL proved futile.

The concerns arise amid ongoing scrutiny over the alleged cyber fraud involving nearly $ 2.5 million, diverted from a Government payment linked to a bilateral transaction with Australia in early 2026. The funds, intended for an Australian creditor, were redirected after email communications related to the payment were interfered with by cyber actors. Although the transaction was processed through official Treasury systems, the intended recipient did not receive the funds.