Workshop on “How to Comply with the Legal Obligations of Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)” for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones and Real Estate Businesses

The fourth workshop on the above theme for the Compliance Officers (COs) of gem and jewellery and real estate sectors was successfully held on July 05, 2018 at the Conference Room of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. This workshop was headed by Dr. Mrs. Subhani Keerthiratne, Acting Deputy Director of the FIU. Key AML/CFT compliance obligations such as development of an AML/CFT Policy Document, conducting institutional ML/TF risk assessment, conducting customer due diligence and customer risk profiling, training and awareness for employees, reporting of suspicious transactions, record keeping and other AML/CFT requirements were emphasized at this session. A separate session on “Compliance with Regulations on UNSCR” was also conducted during the workshop.

FIU-Sri Lanka Entered into a MOU with Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC)

In terms of the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006 (FTRA), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) on June 19, 2018 at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to establish a framework for sharing information on supervisory findings based on comprehensive risk-based supervision focused on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) /Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) in the Securities Sector.
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Workshop on “How to Comply with the Legal Obligations of Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)” for the Gem and Jewellery Sector on June 07, 2018

The FIU-SL conducts a series of workshops for Compliance Officers (COs) of Designated Non-Finance Businesses (DNFBs) on “How to Comply with the Legal Obligations of Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)” as a guidance on AML/CFT compliance for the DNFBs.
Accordingly, the third workshop of the series was successfully completed with the participation of 29 COs of gem and jewellery sector on June 07, 2018 at the CBSL. The session was headed by Mrs. E H Mohotty, Acting Additional Director of the FIU-SL.

Workshop on “How to Comply with the Legal Obligations of Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)” for the Real Estate Sector on June 06, 2018

The FIU-SL conducts a series of workshops for Compliance Officers (COs) of Designated Non-Finance Businesses (DNFBs) on “How to Comply with the Legal Obligations of Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)” as a guidance on AML/CFT compliance for the DNFBs.
Accordingly, the second workshop of the series was successfully completed with the participation of 23 COs of real estate sector on June 06, 2018 at the CBSL. The session was headed by Mr. H A Karunaratne, Assistant Governor of the CBSL and Mr. D M Rupasinghe, Director of the FIU-SL.

Awareness Programme on “Anti-money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism” - Galle

An awareness programme on “Anti-money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism” organized by the Regional Office Matara, Central Bank of Sri Lanka with the collaboration of the District Office of Chamber of Commerce - Galle for the real estate agents, dealers in gem and Jewellery, lawyers, accountants and investors in the Galle District was successfully held on 16^th May 2018 at the auditorium of the District Office of Chamber of Commerce - Galle. 54 participated for the programme. The resource contribution for the programme was made by the Financial Intelligence Unit, Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

AML/CFT Compliance Responsibilities Under the FTRA for Accountants and Trust & Company Service Providers in Sri Lanka - Announcement

On April 17, 2018, an awareness programme on “AML/CFT Compliance Responsibilities under the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 06 of 2006” was held at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL). At this programme, the AML/CFT compliance obligations for Accountants and Trust & Company Service Providers were emphasized. Accordingly, the ICASL with the collaboration of the FIU Sri Lanka informed Chartered Accountants and Trust & Company Service Providers the requirement of appointing a “Compliance Officer” by the attached letters.

FIU-SL to Members of ICASL

ICASL to Members of ICASL

Procedure of Conducting Risk Based Onsite Examinations, Circular No. 01 of 2018

The revised Risk-based Supervision procedures of the FIU are hereby informed to the Licensed Banks and Licensed Finance Companies through the Circular no. 01/18. The said Circular is available from the below link.

Circular no. 01/18

Guidelines for Financial Institutions on Identification of Beneficial Ownership, No. 04 of 2018

The Financial Intelligence Unit issued Guidelines for Financial Institutions on Identification of Beneficial Ownership, No. 04 of 2018 on 19th April 2018. These Guidelines will come into force with immediate effect and shall be read together with the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. o6 of 2006 and the Financial Institutions (Customer Due Diligence) Rules, No. o1 of 2016.

Guidelines on AML & CTF Compliance Obligations for Dealers in Real Estate and Precious Metals, Precious and Semi-Precious Stones, No. 03 of 2018

The Financial Intelligence Unit issued Guidelines on AML & CTF Compliance Obligations for Dealers in Real Estate and Precious Metals, Precious and Semi-Precious Stones, No. 03 of 2018 on 18th April 2018. These Guidelines will come into force with immediate effect and shall be read together with the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. o6 of 2006 and the Designated Non-Finance Business (Customer Due Diligence) Rules, No. o1 of 2018. This guideline shall be treated as minimum instructions and indications to identify and assess the risk of ML & TF in their businesses and take effective measures to mitigate the identified risk.

Guidelines on AML & CTF Compliance Obligations for Casinos and Gambling Houses, No. 02 of 2018

The Financial Intelligence Unit issued Guidelines on AML & CTF Compliance Obligations for Casinos and Gambling Houses, No. 02 of 2018 on 18th April 2018. These Guidelines will come into force with immediate effect and shall be read together with the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. o6 of 2006 and the Designated Non-Finance Business (Customer Due Diligence) Rules, No. o1 of 2018. This guideline shall be treated as minimum instructions and indications to identify and assess the risk of ML & TF in their businesses and take effective measures to mitigate the identified risk.

Important Notice to Designated Non Finance Businesses and Professions - Apr. 15, 2018

The following Designated Non-Finance Businesses (DNFBs) are required to hereby carry out their obligation of implementing proper policies and procedures to prevent money laundering and terrorist nancing attempts using such businesses and professions as provided for under the “Designated Non-Finance Business (Customer Due Diligence) Rules, No. 1 of 2018” (Rules) and the Extraordinary Gazette Notication No. 2015/56 dated April 21, 2017 on “Suspicious Transactions (Format) Regulations of 2017”, in terms of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006 (FTRA).

Training Session on “ How to Comply with the Legal Obligations of AML & CFT ” for Designated Non-Finance Businesses

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka conducts training sessions for the compliance officers of designated non-finance businesses on the theme of “How To Comply with the Legal Obligations of Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)” as a guidance on AML/CFT compliance for the institutions which are designated under the non-finance business category.

The 2nd National Risk Assessment on ML/TF – 2018

The Financial Intelligence Unit of Sri Lanka with the technical assistance from the World Bank conducted a three-day workshop on National Risk Assessment on Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing with the participation of 120 experts from different stakeholder institutions representing both public and private sector at Center for Banking Studies in Rajagiriya during April 4 – 6, 2018.

Notice on Appointing Compliance Officials for Businesses and Professions in Designated Non-Financial Sector - March. 13, 2018

The following Designated Non-Finance Businesses (DNFBs) as defined in the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006 (FTRA) are hereby informed of the obligation of appointing a Compliance Officer under the requirements of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws and regulations in Sri Lanka.

Notice to the Customers of Non-Financial Businesses and Professions

• Casinos
• Real Estate Agents
• Dealers in Precious Metals, Dealers in Precious & Semi-Precious Stones
• Lawyers, Notaries, Other Independent Legal Professionals
• Accountants
• Trusts and Company Service Providers

The FIU-Sri Lanka has instructed the above businesses/professions to obtain the information in order to identify their customers, as per the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 06 of 2006.

CDD Rules for Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions, No. 01 of 2018

The Financial Intelligence Unit of Sri Lanka issued rules through the Extraordinary Gazette Notification on Designated Non-Financial Business (Customer Due Diligence) Rules No. 1 of 2018 dated January 10, 2018 which should be complied by the following Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions in Sri Lanka.

Casinos, Real Estate Agents, Dealers in Precious Metals and Dealers in Precious and Semi-Precious Stones, Lawyers, Notaries, Other independent Legal Professionals and Accountants, Trusts and Company Service Providers

Guidelines on ML & TF Risk Management for Financial Institutions, No. 01 of 2018

The Financial Intelligence Unit issued Guidelines on Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing (ML & TF) Risk Management for Financial Institutions, No. 01 of 2018 on 11th January 2018. These Guidelines will come into force with immediate effect and shall be read together with the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. o6 of 2006 and the Financial Institutions (Customer Due Diligence) Rules, No. o1 of 2016. This guideline shall be treated as minimum instructions and indications to identify and assess the risk of ML & TF in their businesses and take effective measures to mitigate the identified risk.

Awareness Programme on “AML/CFT Framework and Obligations for Dealers in Precious Metals and Precious Stones”

An awareness programme on “Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Framework and Obligations for Dealers in Precious Metals and Precious Stones” was conducted by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), for the dealers in the gem and jewellery sector on 10th January 2018 at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Appointment of Director FIU -Sri Lanka

It is hereby notified that Mr. D M Rupasinghe has been appointed as the Director, Financial Intelligence Unit of Sri Lanka with effect from 19.12.2017. You may forward your correspondence to the Director via,
Mr. D M Rupasinghe
Director
Financial Intelligence Unit
Central Bank of Sri Lanka
No. 30,Janadhipathi Mawatha,
Colombo 01,
Sri Lanka.
+94 112477509; Email: dfiu@cbsl.lk

FIU-Sri Lanka Entered into a MOU with Sri Lanka Police

In terms of the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006 (FTRA), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sri Lanka Police on December 13, 2017 at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to share information/intelligence in order to facilitate investigations and prosecutions on money laundering, terrorist financing and other related offences.

Awareness on Mandatory Obligations for Designated Non-Financial Businesses in Sri Lanka

The Financial Intelligence Unit conducted an awareness programme on the “draft Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Rules for Designated Non-Financial Businesses (DNFBs)” on November 30, 2017.

FIU-Sri Lanka Entered into a MOU with Financial Information Unit of the State of Qatar

In terms of the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006 (FTRA), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Financial Information Unit of the State of Qatar on October 26, 2017 to exchange financial intelligence in order to facilitate investigations and prosecutions on money laundering and terrorist financing.

20th Annual Meeting of the APG, Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 15-21, 2017

Sri Lanka hosted the 20th Annual Meeting of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) in Colombo during July 15-21, 2017 with the participation of 408 delegates from 41 member countries of the APG and 24 observers from several international observer organisations. The event was graced by His Excellency the President, Maithripala Sirisena and Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Finance and Mass Media.

Press Release

Suspicious Transactions (Format) Regulations of 2017

The Hon. Minister of Finance has issued the Suspicious Transactions (Format) Regulations of 2017 in terms of the Section 29 read with Section 7 of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act. No. 6 of 2006 (FTRA), through the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2015/56 dated April 21, 2017. These regulations shall apply to every Institution within the meaning of Section 33 of the FTRA.

STR (Format) Regulations of 2017

Risk-based Supervision and Guidelines for the MVTS Providers

The Financial Intelligence Unit adopted Risk-based Supervision subsequent to the issuance of the Risk-based CDD Rules for the Financial Institutions in 2016. Accordingly, Risk-based Supervision procedures of the FIU were informed to the Licensed Banks and Licensed Finance Companies through the Circular no. 01/17. Further, FIU issued a Guideline on AML/CFT compliance obligations of Money or Value Transfer Service (MVTS) providers through the Circular no. 02/17 in 2017. The said Circulars are available from the below links.

Circular no. 01/17

Circular no. 02/17