12 January 2017 12:00 am
In terms of the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006 (FTRA), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Registration of Persons Department yesterday, at the Central Bank to receive information in order to facilitate investigations and prosecutions on money laundering and terrorist financing.
Registration of Persons Department Commissioner General P. Viyani Gunathilake and FIU Director H. Amarathunga signed the MoU on behalf of the respective institutions in the presence of Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, who is also Chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) National Coordinating Committee.
Money laundering and terrorist financing are internationally connected financial crimes, which could threaten the stability of global economic and financial system.
The MoU would enable sharing information for the identification of persons suspected of being involved in money laundering and terrorist financing, which is vital for intelligence purpose.
The FIU has already entered into similar MoUs with Sri Lanka Customs, Immigration and Emigration Department and Inland Revenue Department while arrangements are being made to sign MoUs with other relevant domestic government agencies for the above purpose soon.