Sri Lanka launches 'Be Scam Proof' financial awareness
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka launched its 'Be Scam Proof' national campaign to enhance public awareness against financial scams. Governor P Nandalal Weerasinghe delivered a keynote address at the Colombo launch on June 2, 2026.
The dual challenge of financial fraud
Financial fraud in Sri Lanka is shaped by both digital sophistication and persistent awareness gaps.
Digital banking and social media have brought financial services to fingertips, yet a significant portion of the population remains unaware of legal, regulated, and fraudulent schemes.
This creates a void where fraudsters exploit both technology and the absence of information.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) observes two extremes: populations unable to distinguish licensed finance companies from illegal schemes, and internet-savvy urban populations falling for fraudulent links and sharing OTPs.
The challenge is twofold: protecting citizens from evolving digital scams while closing the awareness gap that allows illegal schemes, particularly illegal plantation schemes, to flourish across the country.
A coordinated national defense
The 'Be Scam Proof' campaign is designed as a coordinated mobilization involving various institutions and communication channels, as the CBSL cannot tackle this issue alone.
Media members are urged to evolve from passive reporting to active championing of anti-scam efforts.
Financial institutions and fintech providers are identified as the first line of defense, with a clear responsibility to safeguard consumers.
Telecommunication providers must increase vigilance against network misuse.
Cybersecurity authorities and law enforcement agencies play a pivotal role, with the CBSL committed to strengthening coordination.
Influencers and content creators are encouraged to leverage their reach responsibly, while financial analysts are asked to ground their work in the lived realities of communities.
The campaign aims for national outreach, targeting vulnerable groups like rural communities, low-income households, senior citizens, and youth through a multimedia approach including posters, short movies, and a theme song.
Citizens are also urged to question suspicious promises, verify before trusting, and act responsibly to strengthen individual security and public confidence.
A vital step, but long road ahead
This initiative by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is a crucial step in addressing the pervasive and evolving threat of financial scams.
Its success will depend on sustained, genuine collaboration across all identified stakeholders, extending far beyond the initial month-long campaign.
While ambitious, it sets a vital precedent for proactive consumer protection in a rapidly digitizing financial landscape, though the challenge of changing ingrained behaviors remains substantial.