The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has praised the launch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka’s (CA Sri Lanka) new Faculty of Forensic Accounting and Investigation, describing it as a timely and crucial initiative in the fight against financial crime. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Thursday, IGP Weerasooriya underscored the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and specialized forensic accounting professionals to strengthen the country’s defenses against economic crimes.
Highlighting the evolving nature of financial offenses, the IGP noted that modern crimes such as cyber fraud, money laundering, and complex corporate irregularities are increasingly sophisticated and global in scope. He emphasized that as Sri Lanka pursues economic recovery and financial stability, protecting the integrity of the financial system remains vital. Traditional investigative methods, he said, are inadequate for addressing these complex crimes, and integrating forensic accounting expertise early in investigations is essential to preserving critical evidence.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) M. D. P. Dayaratne, head of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division, also spoke at the event, echoing the IGP’s assessment. He described the establishment of the Faculty as a national imperative, noting CA Sri Lanka’s longstanding role in safeguarding financial integrity and corporate governance. DIG Dayaratne stressed the pivotal role of accountants, auditors, and financial managers as frontline defenders against economic wrongdoing, advocating a shift toward a forensic approach that probes deeper into financial transactions to uncover the origins and beneficiaries of funds.
CA Sri Lanka President Tishan Subasinghe described the new Faculty as one of the Institute’s most significant recent developments. He outlined how fraud has evolved beyond traditional accounting records into complex networks involving mobile technologies, cloud computing, and cross-border flows, challenging existing controls. The Faculty, he said, brings together technical, legal, behavioral, and ethical expertise to train professionals capable of producing credible, court-admissible evidence in financial crime investigations.
Ashane Jayasekera, Chairman of the Forensic Accounting & Investigation Committee, emphasized the need for professionals who go beyond conventional accounting. He highlighted the importance of skills in detecting anomalies, investigating suspected misconduct, following money trails, and providing clear and credible conclusions as the core functions of modern forensic accountants.
Alternate Chairman Dr. Mudith Sujeewa addressed the rising concern over employee fraud and the role of behavioral indicators in prevention. He introduced the Certified Professional Forensic Investigator (CPFI) qualification, developed to enhance skills in fraud detection, compliance, and ethical practice through a structured curriculum covering investigative accounting, forensic psychology, legal principles, and practical training.
The Faculty is set to launch two initial programs in October 2026: the Certified Professional Forensic Investigator (CPFI) and Digital Forensics for Finance Professionals. Both programs are designed to equip participants with specialized expertise in investigating financial crimes and managing increasingly complex digital evidence, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s capacity to combat economic offenses effectively.