Free Lawyers call for COPA probe into US$2.5 cyber heist

The Free Lawyers Organisation has called for an investigation through the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) into the alleged misappropriation of US$2.5 million from the Treasury.

The request has been made in writing to COPA Chairman Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim.

The organisation stated that although a written complaint was previously submitted to the Speaker of House regarding the incident, no response has been received to date.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo today (03), representing the Free Lawyers Organisation Ranjith Keerthi Tennakoon said that no acknowledgment had been received even for the letter sent to the Speaker.

He further claimed that no meaningful progress had been achieved through the Committee on Public Finance chaired by Parliamentarian Harsha de Silva.

Tennakoon also alleged that the Ministry of Finance had granted a one-month period to the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance to submit relevant documents, which he described as an attempt to delay the issue.

He emphasized that key parliamentary responsibilities in this matter have not been fulfilled, and urged that a transparent investigation be carried out through COPA, centered on the Auditor General, with proceedings open to both the public and the media.