The setting up of a Cybercrimes Unit by the Police Department has been hailed as a sound move by industry experts to tighten legal loopholes and prosecute fraudsters who are on the rise due to gaps in digital awareness and gaps in prosecution.
“Setting up such a unit which has been in existence under a different name in the Police Department will strengthen investigations and prosecution of cybercriminals,” Sri Lanka CERT Acting CEO Dr. Kanishka Karunasena said.
He said since SL CERT has no investigating and enforcement powers such a unit operated by the police will act as a deterrent for cyber culprits who are thriving on the country’s poor cyber literacy rate.
A ‘Cybercrimes Unit’ was set up by the Sri Lanka Police Department last week to address the sharp increase in online offences in the country.
CEO, CrossBoarder Payments (Pvt) Limited Rohitha Perera said despite Sri Lanka’s high literacy rate, cybercrime continues to rise, exposing a significant gap in digital awareness. According to the Financial Sector Computer Security Incident Response Team (FINCSIRT), phishing, social engineering, and online financial frauds are the most reported incidents.
“Many Sri Lankans still fall for scams that request One-Time Passwords (OTPs), personal banking details, or fake investment offers—despite frequent warnings from financial institutions,” he said, adding that the Sri Lanka Police Department recently set up a dedicated Cybercrimes Unit to tackle this growing threat.
Organisations such as FINCSIRT are working to improve incident response and raise cybersecurity awareness across the country.
He said that India offers valuable lessons through its coordinated initiatives such as the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), the Cyber Swachhta Kendra, and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. These programs combine public education, decentralised enforcement, and real-time fraud detection to curb cyber threats.
“To address this issue effectively, Sri Lanka must focus on digital literacy at all levels -starting from schools to rural communities -while expanding access to easy-to-use reporting tools and increasing collaboration between the public, private sector, and law enforcement. Combating cybercrime isn’t just about enforcement; it’s about empowering people to protect themselves online,” Perera said.
The cybercrimes unit will focus on tackling a range of cyberthreats, including data breaches and financial fraud, which have escalated alongside the nation’s expanding digital economy.
