A high-level meeting was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to discuss preparations for Sri Lanka’s upcoming Mutual Evaluation (ME) by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG).
The focus of the discussion was on anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing (AML/CFT), with participation from cabinet ministers, ministry secretaries, Central Bank officials, and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
The FIU emphasized the urgent need for implementing cabinet-approved action plans involving 24 key institutions, including regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies. These plans aim to prioritize legal reforms, capacity building, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and comprehensive record-keeping to align with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations.
President Dissanayake instructed the creation of dedicated teams to ensure compliance and closely monitor progress. He stressed the importance of collaboration and accountability in strengthening Sri Lanka’s AML/CFT framework.
He also highlighted the need for a robust system to ensure positive evaluation outcomes, maintain financial stability, and boost international confidence in the nation’s economy.
