Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe is strongly optimistic that the country will avoid being placed on the FATF grey list for a third consecutive time, as it faces a key international assessment of its anti-financial crime framework. Grey-listing signals deficiencies in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regimes and can reduce foreign investment, tighten correspondent banking ties and damage reputation. Sri Lanka has been on the list twice before, making the current evaluation especially significant for its economic recovery. The governor said substantial progress has been made in strengthening legal and institutional mechanisms, and regulators believe recent reforms will meet FATF standards. Authorities will keep engaging with FATF evaluators, and the final decision will have major implications for the country's economic and financial path in the coming months.
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