Sri Lanka Begins APG Review of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Framework
COLOMBO, October 28, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s third mutual evaluation by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) has commenced, with assessors examining the country’s safeguards against financial crime, legal reforms and the effectiveness of institutions responsible for protecting the financial system.
The opening session took place at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo on October 26, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne.
The APG’s on-site assessment runs from October 25 to November 6 and will review Sri Lanka’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, National Risk Assessment and institutional effectiveness.
Addressing the opening, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said the evaluation provided an opportunity to demonstrate Sri Lanka’s progress in combating financial crime and meeting international standards.
She warned that corruption and declining public confidence in financial institutions threatened economic and political stability. Transparency, accountability, coordination between institutions and effective law enforcement were essential to safeguarding the financial system, she said.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s AML/CFT framework and responding to emerging risks.
First-day discussions involved the AML/CFT National Committee, Task Force and relevant government institutions, focusing on money laundering and terrorist financing risks, legal reforms and national strategies.
The Attorney General’s Department, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Customs and the Central Bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit participated in deliberations on risk management and institutional coordination.
Assessors also discussed risks associated with scam centres and human trafficking, maritime-related financial activity connected to the Port of Colombo, and Special Economic Zones.
Further attention was given to preventing the misuse of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions and Non-Profit Organisations for illicit financial activities.
The Ministry of Digital Economy said compliance with international standards was important to maintaining secure and transparent financial transactions within the digital economy.
Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Ministry of Digital Economy Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala and other senior government officials attended the opening session.
