Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has told Parliament that an investigation into fraudulent import transactions has uncovered the illegal transfer of approximately US$715 million (around Rs. 214.7 billion) overseas through 105 companies between January 2023 and March 2026.

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Asanka Karawita, who heads the CID, revealed the details before the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), stating that the funds had been remitted via around 24,300 telegraphic transfers (TTs) without the corresponding import of goods into Sri Lanka.

He said the investigation, launched following complaints from Sri Lanka Customs, found that 105 companies, involving 55 individuals and 227 bank accounts, were linked to the transactions.

According to the CID, the money was transferred using forged invoices and fabricated customs documents submitted to banks. The investigation has also identified the involvement of 13 state and private banks.

Karawita told the committee that one suspect, allegedly connected to 43 companies that transferred around US$43 million overseas, has already been arrested and remanded.

The CID further revealed that investigations indicate the network was linked to an international money laundering operation involving drug traffickers based in Dubai.

He said two key suspects were brought back to Sri Lanka from Dubai with the assistance of INTERPOL and have been remanded in custody, while investigations continue.

The CID’s Financial Crimes Investigation Division and Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division are continuing investigations into the alleged money laundering network. (Newswire)

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A four-member Police Committee has been appointed to study and investigate the Presidential Commission of Inquiry report on the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

According to Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga, the committee is headed by a Senior DIG, Asanka Karawita.

The remaining members consist of the DIG in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Director of the CID, and the Director of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). 

Speaking to the media, the Police Spokesman said several more sub-committees have been appointed under the purview of the main committee, which have already commenced studying the report.

SSP Manathunga said new investigations will be launched based on the fresh information uncovered during the ongoing examination of the report, which consists of over 66,000 pages.  

On 20 April, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry report into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks was officially handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

According to Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala, the report was handed over by the Secretary to the President following a directive from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. (Newswire)

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