Sri Lanka Police arrest suspect over alleged USD 80 Million illegal transfer abroad
(Photo: AI generated)
A suspect has been arrested over the alleged illegal transfer of USD 80 million, equivalent to more than Rs. 23 billion, from Sri Lanka to foreign accounts between 2023 and 2025.
The suspect, a resident of the Maradana area, was arrested yesterday (September 9, 2026) by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).
The investigation was launched following a complaint lodged by Sri Lanka Customs regarding several companies suspected of sending money overseas by falsely claiming that they were importing goods from foreign countries.
Investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly transferred the money out of Sri Lanka between January 1, 2023 and November 21, 2025.
According to investigators, a total of USD 80 million had been transferred on 3,198 occasions through six state and private banks.
The transactions were allegedly carried out using the names of 26 companies through Telegraphic Transfers (TT).
Further investigations into the alleged financial fraud are being carried out by the FCID.