President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized the need for coordinated efforts across government and private sectors as Sri Lanka prepares for a critical evaluation of its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks.

Sri Lanka is advancing preparations for its third Mutual Evaluation on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighting the assessment's significance for the nation's international financial standing. During a review meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, the President stressed that successful completion requires systematic implementation of recommendations across multiple institutions and sectors in the coming months.

The evaluation, to be conducted by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, will examine Sri Lanka's adherence to 40 recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and assess the practical effectiveness of existing measures against 11 established outcomes. An on-site inspection by international evaluators is scheduled for later this year. The Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is coordinating the assessment, with approximately 25 government institutions participating in nationwide preparations that have been underway since 2023.

During the meeting, officials provided updates on implementation progress while also identifying challenges requiring attention. The President specifically inquired about efforts to regulate online gambling, developments in related legislative measures, and the status of the Authority for the Management of Proceeds of Crime. Officials confirmed that the authority has been established, with staff recruitment currently proceeding. A Presidential Task Force is monitoring the implementation of action plans across relevant institutions to ensure compliance with international standards.