An individual has been arrested in connection with an alleged scheme to transfer foreign currency reserves worth Rs. 24.85 billion out of Sri Lanka by falsely claiming that the funds were being used to import goods, police stated.
The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) said the investigation was launched following a complaint received by Police Headquarters alleging that 89 companies registered in Sri Lanka had transferred foreign currency overseas through electronic remittance transactions under the guise of importing goods.
The investigation was conducted by the FCID on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police.
During investigations carried out yesterday (22), a 35-year-old man was arrested in Dam Street on suspicion of aiding and abetting the fraudulent transfer of foreign currency reserves through five of the companies identified in the investigation.
The suspect is a resident of Colombo 12.
According to investigators, between December 2024 and November 2025, foreign currency was transferred to overseas accounts through the Telegraphic Transfer (TT) system without any goods actually being imported.
The FCID is continuing its investigations under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
