Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department has intensified investigations into a 2.5 million dollar cyber fraud involving the Finance Ministry’s Department of External Resources as authorities widen a probe into suspected cross-border financial crime. The Police said statements have been recorded from seven officials linked to the External Resources Department and the Treasury’s State Debt Management Office, while multiple computers have been seized for forensic analysis.

Investigators are working with the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team to examine digital evidence. Officials added that the breach appears to be a sophisticated phishing and impersonation scheme rather than a direct system hack, involving fake domains and emails that redirected a debt repayment intended for an Australian creditor. Meanwhile, four senior finance officials have been suspended pending inquiry, while the Free Lawyers Organisation has raised concerns over delays in reporting the case to court and gaps in the investigation. The group has issued 22 questions to the government, urging greater transparency, accountability, and immediate steps to ensure an independent and credible probe.