First Session of the Anti-Money Laundering Webinar Organized by Sri Lanka Institute of Internal Auditors– February 28, 2022

At the invitation of the Sri Lanka Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), Mrs. D R Karunaratne, Director of the FIU, delivered the keynote address at the first virtual session of a two-seasoned webinar on "Anti Money Laundering”on February 28, 2022.

The main session was conducted by Mr. A W U C N Bandara, Senior Assistant Director of the FIU, on the theme of "Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)" which focused on raising awareness about money laundering, do's and don'ts, legislative framework on AML, individual and financial institution responsibility for AML, and the role and responsibility of internal auditors relating the AML.

Following the keynote address and the main session a Q and A session was held and it was focused on current and emerging AML concerns and compliance requirements of the professionals. IIA's efforts to raise awareness on AML are commendable and vital for strengthening the country's AML/CFT framework.

Awareness Session for the Officials of ROC on "ML/TF Risk, AML/CFT Framework of the Country and the Role of FIU"- 8th and 9th of February, 2022

An awareness session on “ML/TF Risk, AML/CFT Framework of the Country and the Role of FIU" was conducted for the officials of the Department of Registrar of Companies (ROC) on 8th and 9th of February, 2022 at ROC to enhance awareness on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (ML/TF) Risk, Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework and role of the FIU.

Mr. Sanjeewa Dissanayake, Registrar General of Companies chaired the session and delivered the opening remarks on the importance of an AML/CFT regime for a country. The presentation on “Introduction to ML/TF, AML/CFT framework in Sri Lanka and Role of the FIU” was conducted by Mr. Chandima Bandara, Senior Assistant Director, FIU and the presentations on “Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006 and Customer Due Diligence Rules” and “Guidelines issued by FIU for Trust or Company Service Providers and Beneficial Ownership” were jointly conducted by Ms. Malsha Rathnayake and Ms. Thilini Lakmali, Assistant Directors of the FIU, respectively. Mr. Ayesh Ariyasinghe, Deputy Director, FIU highlighted the need to have a good understanding of the concept of ultimate beneficial owners of legal persons and shared his experience with the participants.

Notice to the public on risks in getting involved in informal money transfer schemes (Notice #1) - December 10, 2021

Please see the notice from below links

•   Notice #1 - Sinhala  


  Notice #1 - Tamil  

  Notice #1 - English  

Notice to the public on risks in getting involved in informal money transfer schemes (Notice #2) - December 10, 2021

Please see the notice from below links

•   Notice #2 - Sinhala  


  Notice #2 - Tamil  

  Notice #2 - English  

Notice to the public on risks in getting involved in informal money transfer schemes (Notice #3) - December 10, 2021

Please see the notice from below links

•   Notice #3 - Sinhala  


  Notice #3 - Tamil  

  Notice #3 - English  

Virtual Session for Trust or Company Service Providers (TCSPs) on “AML/CFT Obligations of the TCSPs”- November 23, 2021

A virtual session to enhance awareness among the TCSPs on AML/CFT obligations, was conducted by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) on November 23, 2021 with the collaboration of the Registrar of Companies (ROC).

Target group for the above programme consisted of the Accountants, Lawyers and TCSPs. Around 140 participants actively participated throughout the session. Mr. Sanjeewa Dissanayake, Registrar General of Companies delivered the opening remarks and Mrs. Enoka Mohotty, Director of the FIU delivered the keynote address.

Mr. Heshan Mathugamage, Assistant Registrar, ROC and Mr. Ayesh Ariyasinghe, Deputy Director, FIU enriched the session with two key presentations: “Obligations of TCSPs from the point of view of the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007”, and “Role of the FIU and obligations of Directors and TCSPs”, respectively. This was followed by a questions and answers session. The session was moderated by Mr. Chandima Bandara, Senior Assistant Director, FIU.

Keynote address at the session “The Role of the FIU and Obligations of Directors and Secretaries” - October 28, 2021

Mrs. E H Mohotty, Director of the FIU conducted the keynote address at the virtual session “The Role of the FIU and Obligations of Directors and Secretaries” on October 28, 2021 at the invitation of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID).

The primary objective of the forum is to provide a platform for board secretaries of companies in the private and public sector to interact with one another, share experiences, learn and build the key competencies required to perform their roles effectively.

Following the keynote address a panel discussion was held with the participation of Mrs. E H Mohotty, Director, FIU, Mr. Sanjeewa Dissanayake, Registrar General of Companies, Averil Ludowyke, Partner, Ernst and Young, Theja De Silva, Company Secretary/ General Counsel, Nation Trust Bank PLC, Janath Illangatileke, Compliance Officer, Hatton National Bank PLC on the AML/CFT Obligations of Directors and Secretaries. The event was moderated by Mr. D Soosaipillai, Director, Commercial Credit and Finance PLC.

AmCham SL Law Review Series #09: Money Laundering & Corporates - September 7, 2021

Mr. Ayesh Ariyasinghe, Deputy Director of FIU - SL contributed as a resource person for the webinar conducted by AmCham - Sri Lanka on September 7, 2021. The webinar was part of AmCham SL Law Review Series (#09) on Money Laundering & Corporates focused on the implications, risks, obligations and safety measures related to Money Laundering and Corporates.

The recorded video is available in the below link (Facebook).

Imposition of Administrative Penalties by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to Enforce Compliance on Financial Institutions during the Second Quarter of 2021 - July 20, 2021

As Sri Lanka’s regulator for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), the FIU imposed penalties, amounting to Rs. 3.0 million in total for the period from 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021 to enforce compliance on Financial Institutions. The money collected as penalties were credited to the Consolidated Fund.

Press release

Virtual Session on AML/CFT Obligations of Accountants, Auditors and Trust and Company Service Providers on June 30, 2021

A virtual awareness session on AML/CFT Obligations of Accountants, Auditors and Trust and Company Service Providers was conducted on June 30, 2021 with the collaboration of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Sri Lanka (ICASL). The session was attended by a considerable number of ICASL members.

Mr. Ayesh Ariyasinghe and Mr. Sisira Jayasekara, Deputy Directors of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), enriched the session with two key presentations: “Role of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and international requirements concerning accountants”, and “Case studies; Money laundering schemes supported by accountants” accordingly. A panel discussion was followed by these two significant presentations. Mr. Jagath Perera, the Immediate Past President, Mr. Lasantha Wickramasinghe, Past President, from the ICASL and Ms. Enoka Mohotty, the Director, Mr. Sisira Jayasekara, Deputy Director, Mr. Ayesh Ariyasinghe, Deputy Director, Mr. Chandima Bandara, Senior Assistant Director and Miss. Malsha Rathnayake, Assistant Director from the FIU-SL represented the panel.

Imposition of penalties to enforce compliance on Financial Institutions during the first quater of 2021 by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) - May 19, 2021

As the regulator for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) in the country, the FIU imposed penalties, totaling to Rs. 4.0 million for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021 to enforce compliance on Financial Institutions.

Penalties were imposed mainly on the violations of Financial Institutions (Customer Due Diligence) Rules, No. 1 of 2016 in relation to the United Nations sanctions screening, customer identification and verification, Suspicious Transactions Reporting and implementation of proper risk controls and mitigation measures.

Virtual Awareness Session for Gem and Jewellery Dealers on “Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Obligations amidst COVID-19 Pandemic”- April 01, 2021

A virtual session to enhance awareness among the gem and jewellery dealers on how to comply with the AML/CFT obligations amidst COVID-19 pandemic, was conducted by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) on April 01, 2021 with the collaboration of the Centre for Banking Studies, Rajagiriya.

Target group for the above programme consisted of the Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers and Compliance Officers of gem and jewellery institutions registered with the FIU. Around 45 participants actively participated the session. The presentation on “The FIU and the New Normal” was conducted by Mr. Chandima Bandara, Senior Assistant Director/ Head of DNFBP Supervision Division and the presentation on “Implementing AML/CFT Compliance Obligations” was jointly conducted by Ms. Niranga Subhashini, Ms. Malsha Rathnayake, Ms. Thilini Lakmali, Assistant Directors of the FIU, respectively.

Amendment to the List of Designated Persons under Regulation 4(7) of the United Nations Regulations No. 1 of 2012

The List of designated persons published in the Gazette Extraordinary No.1992/25 of November 9, 2016, has been amended as follows.

Virtual Awareness Session for Real Estate Agents on “Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Obligations amidst COVID-19 Pandemic”- March 05, 2021

A virtual session to enhance awareness among the real estate agents on how to comply with the AML/CFT obligations amidst COVID-19 pandemic, was conducted by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) on 05 March 2021 with the collaboration of the Centre for Banking Studies, Rajagiriya.

Target group for the above programme consisted of the Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers and Compliance Officers of real estate institutions registered with the FIU. Around 60 senior management personnel in the capacity of Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers and Compliance Officers actively participated the session. The session presentations on “Implementing AML/CFT Compliance Obligations” and “The FIU and the New Normal” were conducted by Mr. Chandima Bandara, Senior Assistant Director/ Head of DNFBP Supervision Division and Ms. Thumali Kotugoda, Assistant Director, respectively.

Beware of Online Financial Frauds and Scams, Notice by Payments and Settlements Department of CBSL - January 21, 2021

Payments and Settlements Department (PSD) of Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued the following notices to the public on online financial frauds and scams.

High Level Seminar on AML/CFT Obligations for Board of Directors and Senior Management of Licensed Banks - September 23, 2020

Keeping on track in its journey to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related crimes in Sri Lanka in line with international recommendations and standards, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) successfully conducted a high-level seminar on Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism obligations (AML/CFT) for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Board of Directors (BOD) and other senior management personnel of the Licensed Banks. The first session of this seminar was held on September 23, 2020 at the Galadari Hotel Colombo.

Imposition of penalties to enforce compliance on Financial Institutions during 2020 by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) - January 11, 2021

As the regulator for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) in the country, the FIU imposed penalties amounting to Rs. 2.3 million in total for the period from 01.06.2020 to 31.12.2020 to enforce compliance on Financial Institutions.

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka decided to publish the penalties imposed on the Financial Institutions by the FIU in order to improve the AML/CFT compliance level in the country.

Guidelines for Non Face-to-Face Customer Identification and Verification Using Electronic Interface Provided by the Department for Registration of Persons, No. 03 of 2020

These Guidelines are issued to Financial Institutions (FIs) to facilitate verification of identity (verification against the original document) when onboarding non face-to-face individual customers (natural persons) using electronic interface provided by the Department for Registration of Persons (hereinafter referred to as DRP).

Imposition of penalties to enforce compliance on Financial Institutions during 2019 and 2020 by the Financial Intelligence Unit

As the regulator for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) in the country, the FIU imposed penalties, as a sum total of Rs. 5 million for the year 2019 and Rs. 1 million up to 31 May 2020 to enforce compliance on Financial Institutions. The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka at its meeting dated 01 July 2020 decided to publish the penalties imposed on the financial institutions by the FIU in order to improve the AML/CFT compliance level in the country.

Virtual Session on Guidelines on AML/CFT Compliance Obligations for Accountants and Trusts or Company Service Providers No. 02 of 2020 - 22 July 2020

A virtual awareness session on AML/CFT Guidelines recently issued by FIU-SL for Accountants and Trusts or Company Service Providers was conducted on July 22, 2020 with the collaboration of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Sri Lanka (ICASL).
A large number of ICASL members participated for the session. This session was organized including a panel discussion followed by 2 key presentations. Mr. Manil Jayesinghe, the President, Mr. Sanath Fernando, Partner, Ernest and Young and Mr. Jagath Perera, the Immediate Past President from the ICASL and Mr. Sisira Jayasekara, Deputy Director, Ms. Theja Pathberiya, Senior Assistant Director and Ms. Wangeesha Karunanrathna, Senior Assistant Director from the FIU-SL represented the panel.
Please click the below link to access the YouTube recording of the virtual Session.

Virtual Session on Guidelines on AML/CFT Compliance Obligations for Accountants and Trusts or Company Service Providers No. 02 of 2020

CA Sri Lanka has organized an awareness session on the Guidelines on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Compliance Obligations for Accountants and Trusts or Company Service Providers No. 02 of 2020.

Date: Wednesday 22^nd July, 2020
Time: 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm
Investment: Free of Charge

Clarification by Department of Foreign Exchange on Opening Special Deposit Accounts (SDA)

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) wishes to categorically deny the views/concerns expressed/raised by few authorities and persons that the required due diligence processes are not followed by banks (Authorized Dealers - ADs) operating in Sri Lanka in opening and maintaining recently introduced Special Deposit Accounts (SDAs).

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Circular No; 03/2020 - Financial Institutions are advised to be vigilant to emerging Money Laundering/ Terrorist Financing risks

The Financial Institutions (Fis) are advised to increase the vigilance/ due diligence and take appropriate measures to protect the financial system from possible money laundering/ terrorist financing risks arising during the global COVID-19 Pandemic. Accordingly, your attention is drawn to following factors,

Guidelines on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Compliance Obligations for Accountants and Trusts or Company Service Providers, No. 02 of 2020

These Guidelines are issued pursuant to Section 15 (1) (j) of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006 (FTRA). These Guidelines should be read together with the Designated Non-Finance Business (Customer Due Diligence) Rules, No. 1 of 2018 (hereinafter referred to as “CDD Rules”) by Gazette Extraordinary No. 2053/20, dated January 10, 2018.

Delisting of Sri Lanka by the European Commission from its List of High Risk 3^rd Countries May 07, 2020

The European Commission has de-listed Sri Lanka from its list of High Risk Third Countries with Anti- Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Strategic Deficiencies published on May 07, 2020.

Sri Lanka was listed as a high risk third country by the EU in February 2018, subsequent to Sri Lanka being identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as a jurisdiction with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies in its Compliance Document which is more commonly identified as “the Grey List” in October 2017. Upon listing, a time bound Action Plan to address the strategic deficiencies identified was assigned to Sri Lanka.

Awareness Programme on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism for Designated Non-finance Businesses and Professions Conducted on February 17, 2020

Awareness programme on “Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)” was conducted for DNFBPs of Southern Province on February 17, 2020 with the collaboration of the Central Bank’s Regional Office –Matara, at its Auditorium.

39 participants representing Real estate agents, gem and jewellery dealers, accountant, lawyers and notaries and trust and company service providers were present at this awareness programme. Chief guest of the programme was Mr. D M Rupasinghe, Assistant Governor of the CBSL. Other senior officials of the FIU-SL conducted the programme with the coordination of Matara Regional Office of the CBSL.