Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

Combatting the Financing of Terrorism to Affirm National Security

February 01, 2022

Institute of National Security Studies
Closed Door Round Table Discussion on
“Combatting the Financing of Terrorism to Affirm National Security”
Press Release

The Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on national security established under the Ministry of Defence organized a Closed Door Round Table Discussion titled “Combatting the Financing of Terrorism to Affirm National Security” on the 25th of January, from 1400 hrs to 1600 hrs via ZOOM. The discussion involved top experts from the fields of security, intelligence and finance. The session included participants from the security forces, intelligence communities, industry professionals and subject experts. The discussion was chaired by Professor Rohan Gunaratna, Director General of the Institute of National Security Studies.

The discourse analytically addressed past and existing issues pertaining to the financing of terrorism in Sri Lanka. Chief Inspector J.M.M. Jayasundara from Criminal Investigation Department presented on a domestic case study of terrorist financing in Sri Lanka. The case study was followed by Mr. Ayesh Ariyasinghe, Deputy Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka delivering on the role and capabilities of the Financial Intelligence Unit in Sri Lanka. Finally, Dr. Rasheen Bappu, Adjunct Professor, Anthropologist and Intelligence Data Scientist presented on global and regional terror groups and financing. The discussion concluded after brief interactive discussion between the speakers and the audience. The comprehensive dialogue provided valuable insights and policy recommendations to strengthen financial and terrorism intelligence in Sri Lanka.