By In a bid to overhaul operations and restore public trust, the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) is set for a fresh start. Past allegations questioning its credibility and legality have marred its reputation, but a new government mandate promises a rigorous crackdown on corruption and fraud.
Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Asanka Karawita has been appointed as the new head of both the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the FCID, effective February 12, as announced by the Police Media Division. His leadership is expected to be pivotal in steering investigations into complex criminal and financial cases across the country.
In a further strategic move, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) P. Liyanage has been assigned to oversee operations in the Western Province (North), while DIG M. D. P. Dayarathne has been transferred to the FCID. Acting Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, has spearheaded these appointments, positioning key officers to lead the newly re-established division.
Many Moves
Karawita, formerly in charge of Community Policing, Tourism, and Investment, now takes on the dual responsibility of overseeing both criminal investigations and financial crimes. Additionally, Pavithra Dayaratne, currently the DIG in charge of the Ratnapura District, has been designated as the DIG for the FCID, effective from February 12. Police sources indicate that the division will soon be formally gazetted and operationalized with the appointment of a Director.
Controversy and Collapse
The FCID, established on February 26, 2015, by Minister of Public Order and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga under the instructions of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, was created to investigate serious financial fraud, misuse of state assets, money laundering, and other financial crimes that affect national security. Over the years, it has been tasked with probing high-profile corruption cases, including those involving the Rajapaksa Administration and alleged misconduct within the Sirisena cabinet.
Despite its broad mandate and extensive powers—which allow for the arrest of civilians, government workers, and legislators without prior approval—the division has faced sustained criticism over claims of political bias and lack of accountability. In 2017, President Maithripala Sirisena publicly disapproved of investigations that targeted members of his cabinet, and recent revelations of a monthly expenditure of Rs.1.2 million to maintain the FCID have further fueled the debate.
As the new leadership takes charge, all eyes will be on the FCID to see if it can overcome its troubled past and emerge as a robust, independent force in the fight against financial crime and corruption in Sri Lanka.
