The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT) received more than 12,650 complaints related to cybersecurity incidents and social media misuse in 2025, marking a sharp increase in online fraud, harassment, and scams compared to previous years.
According to Sri Lanka CERT Lead Information Security Engineer Charuka Damunupola, a large portion of the complaints involved fake and hacked accounts, as well as financial scams conducted through social media platforms.
The agency also noted a rise in complaints related to hate speech, abusive content, and sexual harassment involving adults.
Damunupola said there has been a noticeable increase in general scams and the spread of false information.
Cybercriminals are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to exploit the public’s growing dependence on digital platforms for communication, commerce, and financial transactions.
Vulnerable groups such as youth, elderly individuals, and first-time internet users, are frequently among the victims, he said.
Sri Lanka CERT urged the public to remain alert, refrain from sharing personal or financial information online, verify suspicious messages and links, and adopt enhanced security practices including two-factor authentication and strong passwords.
The public is encouraged to report cyber incidents promptly to help ensure a rapid response.
Individuals can report cybersecurity incidents by calling 101 or emailing Sri Lanka CERT. (Newswire)
