Sri Lanka CERT has issued a public warning over the circulation of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos falsely depicting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and several other prominent personalities to promote fraudulent investment schemes online.

According to complaints received by the national cyber security agency, the videos have been created using deepfake technology and are being used as part of attempts to defraud members of the public through financial scams.

The images of famous sports personalities and other public figures have also been misused in the deceptive content.

The agency has warned that similar AI-generated material has been used to spread false information relating to investment opportunities, employment offers, as well as matters concerning the country’s economy and tax policies.

According to Sri Lanka CERT, the videos are being widely shared across online platforms and frequently contain links urging viewers to make investments in return for purported profits.The agency has cautioned that these links may redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information, financial data and money from unsuspecting victims.

Sri Lanka CERT has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when encountering such content online and advised against clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal information through unverified websites.

“The public should remain vigilant and avoid becoming victims of false information and online fraud schemes,” the agency said.

Sri Lanka CERT has also encouraged internet users to verify information through official sources before acting on any investment, employment or financial offers circulated via social media or other online platforms.

Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne on Wednesday endorsed the certificate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, bringing the legislation into force as the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026, Parliament sources said.

The Bill, which amends the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, was passed by Parliament on May 19.

The new law introduces a series of reforms aimed at modernising tax administration procedures, improving compliance and enforcement mechanisms, enhancing the accuracy of tax calculations and deductions, and strengthening transparency within the tax system.

The amendments also support broader economic policy objectives and include measures designed to reinforce anti-money laundering safeguards.Among the key provisions of the Act is the mandatory use of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificates for specified high-value financial transactions.

The legislation also introduces revisions to the calculation of taxable income, clarifies tax exemptions applicable to certain projects and business entities, and expands the scope for information disclosure to relevant authorities.

The amendments are expected to improve the efficiency of tax administration while facilitating greater accountability and regulatory oversight.With the Speaker’s endorsement of the certificate, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill has now become law as the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026.

UNP Kandy District Leader and Senior Vice President Naveen Dissanayake has called for the reunification of forces aligned with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, arguing that a new political direction for the country can only emerge through such an alliance.

Addressing a meeting of UNP district electorate organisers and party activists at the Sri Pushpadana Society Hall in Kandy on Tuesday, Dissanayake said the country’s political landscape required the combination of “the head of Ranil Wickremesinghe and the body of Sajith Premadasa” to create a formidable political force capable of challenging the government.

He said the opposition could not effectively respond to emerging political developments without uniting with the majority of those who had previously belonged to the UNP.

“If we can come together with those who were once part of our own party, the road to victory will be much easier,” Dissanayake said.

He stressed that building a strong opposition and eventually forming a government would require both factions to work under a common political platform.Dissanayake also revealed his ambition to contest for the position of Chief Minister of the Central Province in the future, noting that such a goal could only be achieved if the two political camps contested elections under a single nomination list.

Describing Wickremesinghe as the only leader capable of guiding the country forward, Dissanayake said a combination of Wickremesinghe’s experience and vision with Premadasa’s grassroots appeal would create a powerful political movement.

“If we combine Ranil’s intellectual vision with Sajith’s grassroots strength, we can successfully embark on this new political journey,” he said.

The senior UNP figure also urged party organisers to strengthen the party’s district-level organisational structure in preparation for future elections.

Emphasising the importance of reconnecting with voters, he said political leaders must engage directly with the people and regain public confidence.

“Power in politics is the power of the people. Political leaders must go among the masses and earn their trust,” he said.

Among those attending the meeting were former Central Provincial Councillor Shanthini Kongahage, former Provincial Councillor J. M. Lafir, former Kandy Mayor Kesara Senanayake, Hewaheta UNP Organiser Aruna Ravishankar and former Gangawata Korale Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman D. M. Wijerathne, along with party activists.

By SK Samaranayake