Treasury's Email System Outdated Since 2019, Linked to $2.5 Million Cyber Incident

Officials from the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT) have informed the Committee of Public Finance (CoPF) that the Treasury's email system has been outdated since 2019. This prolonged period of obsolescence meant that messages exchanged were in an insecure state. The revelation emerged during the CoPF's investigation into an incident where USD 2.5 million, part of a foreign loan installment, was diverted to another party, reportedly through cybercrime. CoPF Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva presided over the questioning concerning this critical lapse in financial security.