US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung and Acting Mission Director and Programme Office Director for USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives, Ms. Maureen Hsia, paid a courtesy call to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Parliament yesterday.
According to the PM’s Office, the group thereafter engaged in a discussion focused on the evolving framework of U.S. foreign assistance to Sri Lanka and potential avenues for sustained cooperation.
The delegation briefed the Prime Minister on the recent three-month moratorium imposed on all foreign assistance by the United States, pending a comprehensive review by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Discussions centered on the implications of this decision, particularly its potential impact on key development initiatives such as the women’s shelter project, and broader humanitarian concerns if current support mechanisms are disrupted.
Both parties acknowledged the critical role of the United States as a global leader in development and emphasized the importance of continuing bilateral collaboration.
PM Amarasuriya welcomed the United States’ commitment to identifying alternative modalities to ensure uninterrupted support for Sri Lanka’s development priorities.
In addition, the meeting addressed tariff negotiations, recognizing their relevance in bolstering economic resilience and supporting the country’s long-term growth trajectory. (Newswire)