Bangladesh central bank honours Sri Lankan bankers for foiling 2016 cyber heist

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: Central Bank of Sri Lanka IT Director Bandara Herath, Pan Asia Banking Corporation former CEO Dimantha Senaviratne, Bangladesh central bank’s Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Pan Asia Banking Corporation Chief Executive Officer Naleen Edirisinghe, Pan Asia Banking Corporation representatives Harsha Kurukulasuriya and Dilrukshi Guruge and Bangladesh central bank’s Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman

Bangladesh central bank’s Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur (second from left) handing over the token of appreciation to Pan Asia Banking Corporation Chief Executive Officer Naleen Edirisinghe (second from right), in the presence of Bangladesh’s Inspector General of Police Dr. Baharul Alam (far left) and Bangladesh central bank’s Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman (far right)

Bangladesh’s central bank (Bangladesh Bank) hosted a special award ceremony at its headquarters in Motijheel on 17 July, to formally recognise officials from Sri Lanka’s Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC for their role in preventing a $ 20 million fraudulent transaction during the infamous 2016 Bangladesh Bank reserve heist incident.

This ceremony, described by the Bangladesh central bank’s Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur as “more than a formal recognition- it is a tribute to ethics, prudence, and human values that transcend national borders,” aims to honour the Sri Lankan officials for their “exemplary professionalism and integrity” in thwarting the attempted fraud.

The Bangladesh central bank emphasised that the decisive actions of the Sri Lankan bankers not only protected Bangladesh’s financial interests but also significantly upheld global trust in the integrity of the banking system.

Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman welcomed the esteemed guests, calling the event a “long-overdue tribute” to individuals who demonstrated the highest standards of vigilance and ethical conduct during a pivotal moment in global financial history.

Bangladesh’s Inspector General of Police Dr. Baharul Alam further expressed gratitude, highlighting the Sri Lankan bankers’ diligence and cooperation with Bangladeshi investigators, describing the ceremony as a “symbol of appreciation and a reaffirmation of cross-border cooperation and institutional accountability.”

The event was graced by high-ranking officials including the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, the Inspector General of Police, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh, Central Bank of Sri Lanka IT Director Bandara Herath and representatives from Sri Lanka’s Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC, including its Chief Executive Officer Naleen Edirisinghe, former CEO Dimantha Senaviratne, Harsha Kurukulasuriya and Dilrukshi Guruge, among other attendees.

The ceremony also highlighted the enduring financial and diplomatic partnership between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with both sides pledging to deepen collaboration in areas such as financial crime prevention, cybersecurity, and regulatory coordination.

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event including Valentine ’s Day. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Flower Bouquets, Clothing, Watches, Lingerie, Gift Sets and Jewellery. Also if you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.