The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has participated in the inaugural meeting of Sri Lanka’s Third Mutual Evaluation on Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Countering Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF), conducted by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG).

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister emphasized that the strength of a country’s financial system depends not only on the laws and institutions established but also on their effectiveness, accountability and integrity in practice, the PM’s Office said in a statement.

She noted that Sri Lanka’s Third Mutual Evaluation provides an important opportunity to demonstrate the country’s progress in combating financial crime, identify areas requiring further improvement and strengthen alignment with international standards.

The Prime Minister further stressed that corruption and the erosion of public trust in state institutions, particularly financial institutions, pose significant challenges to economic and political stability, the statement said.

Addressing these challenges through transparency, accountability, strong institutional coordination and effective enforcement is essential to safeguarding financial integrity, restoring public confidence and strengthening the country’s economic resilience.

She further noted that the Mutual Evaluation provides an important opportunity for Sri Lanka to demonstrate the progress achieved in combating financial crime, identify areas for improvement and strengthen its alignment with international standards, it said.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working constructively with the assessment team and all relevant stakeholders to strengthen Sri Lanka’s AML/CFT/CPF framework, address emerging risks and uphold the confidence of international partners and investors, the statement added.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, the Governer of the CBSL, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Secretary to the Minister of Justice and National Integration, members of Financial Intelligence Unit and the members of the assessment team.