Sri Lanka, April 25 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is paying close attention to the $2.5 million robbery carried out by hackers who accessed Finance Ministry computer systems, a spokesperson told a local English daily today (25). The fund remains in close observation of the situation.

In response to inquiries, an IMF spokesperson stated they acknowledged the event and noted the Finance Ministry statement confirming unauthorised access to the Department of External Resources (ERD) systems. These funds were specifically allocated for a debt installment payment to Australia.

Sri Lanka currently recovers under an IMF program following the severe 2022 economic crisis after previously defaulting on $46 billion in debt. Authorities a...