Alleged USD 2.5 million payment and concerns regarding the Treasury

I refer to the erroneous payment of USD 2.5 by the Treasury which

translates to nearly Rs. 800 million, a staggering loss by any standard. Such an error cannot be dismissed as routine oversight; it reflects negligence of the highest order.

In any properly governed payment process, several basic controls are non-negotiable. Before settling a liability, officers are expected to verify the agreement, confirm the identity of the creditor, check the due date, and—most critically—ensure that funds are remitted strictly to the bank account specified in the original agreement. These are elementary safeguards, not advanced procedures.

The fact that such a large payment was allegedly made without adhering to these fundamental checks points to a serious breakdown in internal controls and financial discipline. It raises troubling questions about how multiple layers of verification, which should exist in the Treasury, failed simultaneously.

Given the magnitude of the sum involved, this cannot be treated lightly. Where established procedures appear to have been ignored, the possibility of collusion cannot be ruled out and warrants thorough, independent investigation. Accountability must be clearly established, and corrective measures urgently implemented to prevent any recurrence.

Upali Weerasinghe