Treasury heist allegations intensify as lawyers warn of evidence tampering, internal masterminds, and demand resignations over Rs.800M fraud.
Sri Lanka’s Treasury heist allegations have taken a serious turn as legal experts claim a nearly Rs. 800 million fraud may involve internal coordination and possible destruction of critical evidence, raising alarm over governance and accountability.
The Free Lawyers Organization has called for the immediate resignation of the President, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, along with the Treasury Secretary, over what they describe as a massive financial crime within the Treasury.
Lawyers Allege Planned Financial Crime
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Attorney Shiral Lakthilaka stated that the incident cannot be dismissed as a technical error.
He described it as a carefully orchestrated financial heist carried out through a structured plan by an internal mastermind. This characterization shifts the narrative from system failure to deliberate manipulation.
The organization emphasized that the scale of the alleged fraud places it among serious public property offenses, increasing pressure for accountability.
Business Email Compromise at the Center
Investigations have revealed that the fraud was executed using a technique known as Business Email Compromise, a method widely associated with sophisticated cyber financial crimes.
A key detail that has drawn attention is the use of an email account belonging to a Treasury official who was on maternity leave at the time.
According to Lakthilaka, such specific targeting raises suspicions that sensitive internal information may have been provided from within, rather than being accessed externally.
Delays and Questions Over Disclosure
Further allegations suggest that the incident dates back to October or November of last year, yet it was not disclosed to the public or Parliament for several months.
Despite the Central Bank raising concerns over irregularities in funds sent by the Treasury to an Australian agency, authorities reportedly failed to act swiftly.
The lack of immediate communication with law enforcement or the Australian High Commission has intensified scrutiny over how the situation was handled.
However, questions remain about why early warning signs were not acted upon and whether delays were intentional.
Concerns Over Missing Data
The controversy deepened with claims that computer data linked to a loan agreement with France has been deleted from the Treasury system.
Lawyers argue that such actions could indicate an attempt to destroy evidence related to the ongoing investigation.
This raises concerns about the integrity of digital records and whether critical information has been compromised.
Accountability and Legal Pressure Mounts
The Free Lawyers Organization has also questioned the shifting of responsibility within the administration.
Although the Treasury Secretary has stated that the matter was reported to the Criminal Investigation Department, the government has not disclosed the B report number submitted to court.
Lakthilaka stressed that this is not a minor financial discrepancy but a large scale crime involving public funds, and that transparency is essential.
He reiterated that both the Minister of Finance and the Treasury Secretary must step down to allow an impartial investigation.
Governance Under the Spotlight
The organization concluded that the incident highlights a deeper issue within the current administration, pointing to a decline in accountability and governance standards.
This raises concerns about institutional integrity and the ability of state systems to prevent or respond to complex financial crimes.
What happens next could be critical in determining whether authorities can restore public trust or whether the controversy will escalate further.
