The problematic situation arising from financial transactions through the External Resources Department of the Ministry of Finance was not intentionally hidden by the government, but was a weakness in the communication process rather than a planned, targeted fraud, National People’s Power MP Chandana Suriyaarachchi stated.
The Member of Parliament noted that in January 2026, a sum of $2.5 million due to be paid to an Australian export finance institution was credited to an account linked to a different email address due to the influence of hackers.
Finance Ministry officials and the government took necessary legal steps immediately upon learning of this fraudulent act, and a similar incorrect account number presented during a scheduled payment to India was intercepted through prompt government intervention.
In response to opposition allegations of withholding information, the MP explained that as a responsible government, details were not disclosed before the conclusion of investigations.
He rejected claims of a cover-up, mentioning that protective measures were taken to ensure the recovery process remained uncompromised by hackers who might change their tactics.
Currently, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Computer Crimes Division have commenced probes into the incident, while institutional disciplinary inquiries against relevant officials are also underway.
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