Drug Trafficking Named Top Money Laundering Threat in Sri Lanka 📈

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has released the National Risk Assessment (NRA) 2024/25, identifying evolving challenges to the country's financial integrity. • Overall Risk Ratings: The national Money Laundering (ML) risk remains Medium, while the Terrorist Financing (TF) risk has increased to Medium-High. The Proliferation Financing (PF) risk was assessed for the first time at a Medium level. • Primary Threats: Drug Trafficking: Now the most serious threat, upgraded to High risk. Fraud & Customs Offences: Rated Medium-High, with concerns over Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML). Bribery & Corruption: Decreased to Medium, supported by an improved Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score of 35 in 2025. • Sector Vulnerabilities: Banking: Maintains a Medium-High ML risk due to its scale in the economy. Real Estate & Casinos: Rated High and Medium-High respectively within the DNFBPs (Non-Finance Businesses) sector. Virtual Assets: Rated Low to Medium, reflecting emerging but monitored risks. • National Context: The assessment involved 86 organizations to strengthen the financial services framework. Findings will form the basis for the National Policy on AML/CFT for 2026–2030 to safeguard the ICT/BPM and broader investment climate.