Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, April 25 (Daily Mirror) – Australian officers are currently assisting with Sri Lanka’s investigation into the incident in which cyber criminals stole US $ 2.5 million after breaching the computer systems of the Finance Ministry, according to Australian High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth.

The funds were part of a bilateral debt repayment to Australia, with a settlement due in September 2025. The diversion had taken place in January.

Finance Ministry Secretary Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma told a news conference that the cyber criminals had intervened and diverted the funds to other accounts after Sri Lanka made the due payment.

Asked for a comment in this regard, the Australian High Commissioner said, From our perspective, really, the two points I would make. Firstly, we are obviously aware of the incident and our officers in Canberra are assisting with Sri Lanka’s investigation. The second point I’d make is that this doesn’t otherwise undermine our ongoing commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s return to debt sustainability.”

According to him, the main issues are really for Sri Lanka to resolve through the investigation already undertaken.

Sri Lanka has currently launched investigations into the incident with the involvement of multiple agencies.