Sri Lanka has launched an investigation after hackers breached the finance ministry's computer systems and stole $2.5m (£1.8m), officials say.
The funds were part of a bilateral debt repayment to Australia - with a settlement due in September 2025.
Authorities believe the diversion took place sometime in January, though details are only now emerging.
Harshana Suriyapperuma, the finance ministry secretary, told media on Thursday: "Even though Sri Lanka had made the due payments, the cyber criminals had intervened and diverted it to other bank accounts, instead of the intended recipient."
He said four senior officers at the Public Debt Management Office had been suspended and that they were seeking assistance from foreign law enforcement agencies.
