SJB Demands Answers Over $2.5 Million Treasury Breach

Sri Lanka's key opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has intensified scrutiny on the government following a hack of the Finance Ministry account resulting in a $2.5 million loss. Opposition leaders demand accountability and claim the incident signifies a grave oversight by the ministry.

Harsha de Silva, head of Parliament's Committee on Public Finance, announced a forthcoming questioning of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma. He emphasized the necessity for officials to provide answers for the breach involving funds intended for foreign debt repayments.

Sajith Premadasa, opposition leader, called for a parliamentary select committee to determine if the incident was indeed a hack, as the government alleges, or a more insidious fraud. Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne confirmed a comprehensive probe to identify those responsible and recover the losses incurred.

(With inputs from agencies.)