- US$ 2.5 m fraud, judicial independence to be highlighted
- SJB to discuss with Opposition party leaders today
- To be working towards joint coordinated approach
The main Opposition, the SJB, is set to use the Parliamentary week starting today (5) to scrutinise key national developments, including the diversion of US$ 2.5 million in State funds and recent remarks by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on judicial matters. A meeting with other Opposition party leaders is scheduled for this morning to determine the way forward.
Commenting on the week’s agenda to The Daily Morning, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka said: “Our Parliamentary group meeting was held yesterday (4). Discussions focused on addressing a range of current issues, including the alleged $ 2.5 million Treasury-related cyber fraud incident and recent statements made by President Dissanayake and other Government representatives concerning judicial matters.”
He added that a meeting with leaders of other Opposition parties has been scheduled for this morning to discuss a coordinated approach moving forward.
The Opposition’s preparations come amid controversy over recent statements by President Dissanayake regarding the Judiciary, which have drawn criticism from various quarters.
Addressing a May Day rally in Nuwara Eliya on 1 May, the President said that 2026 would be remembered as the year in which individuals accused of corruption and fraud would be imprisoned. He also referred to ongoing investigations, noting that several cases are currently before court and that institutions such as the Criminal Investigation Department and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had been strengthened to expedite legal action.
His remarks on impending convictions and the handling of corruption cases have sparked debate, particularly regarding the independence of the Judiciary.
These developments also unfold against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into an 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 compromised by cyber actors. Although the transaction was processed through official Treasury systems, the intended recipient did not receive the funds.