The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, US$2.5 million was fraudulently remitted to a wrong account between December 2025 and January 2026. Until civil society and the media exposed it, the Government did not inform Parliament or the country.

¶ 02 Even after admitting fault, the Treasury Secretary refused to appear before COPF and answer questions. Meanwhile, the interdicted officer died; only after his death did the Secretary suddenly appear. Given this sequence, public suspicion is justified.

¶ 03 Before COPF we learned that US$25 million was sent to a wrong account in ten separate instances. How is that possible? Servicing foreign debt is not an ordinary bank transfer; there are procedures, laws and regulations: the Public Finance Management Act, Financial Regulations, institutional manuals, the Payments and Settlements law, etc. Did the Government comply with these in making these payments?

¶ 04 We also ask whether the death of the officer has been properly investigated with due gravity. We hear there were staff changes in the Treasury thereafter—give us details.

¶ 05 Ultimately, who is accountable for the loss of US$25 million? The Secretary? The Minister? The President? Now the Government tries to blame a hacker and absolve itself. We categorically oppose this attempt. We demand that today the Government present comprehensive facts to Parliament on how this US$25 million loss occurred. Thank you.