Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has pledged tighter safeguards after a cyber fraud involving a US 2.5 million dollar government payment, as authorities seek to strengthen financial resilience amid a volatile global environment. Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said the Central Bank and the Finance Ministry were working closely to prevent similar incidents, including by improving payment verification mechanisms.

The fraud, involving funds belonging to the Finance Ministry, has raised concerns over cybersecurity and oversight in cross-border transactions at a time when Sri Lanka is rebuilding confidence after its economic crisis. Separately, Central Bank Economic Research Director Lasitha Pathberiya warned that global uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and external shocks were becoming “the new normal” for the island nation. Presenting the Central Bank’s Economic Review 2025 on Wednesday, he said Sri Lanka must continue structural reforms, strengthen reserves and improve crisis preparedness to sustain macroeconomic stability under its IMF-backed recovery programme.