Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, says the additional U.S. tariff applicable to Sri Lankan exports has been reduced to 10%, describing it as a favourable outcome achieved through coordinated efforts by the Sri Lankan Government and its negotiating team.
In a statement, Samarasinghe attributed the outcome to strong bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United States, as well as the timely intervention and directives of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
He also credited the efforts of the Sri Lankan delegation led by Finance Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma, which included Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Trade Secretary Vimalenthirarajah, Chief Economic Advisor and Board of Investment Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa, together with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, D.C.
According to the Ambassador, the result was achieved through focused negotiations, daily coordination, intelligence gathering, advisory work and efforts to build goodwill with U.S. authorities.
“As I complete my relatively long tenure as Ambassador in a few days’ time, I would like to leave behind a word of caution that we should not be complacent moving forward, as there are more challenges to overcome in order to sustain this positive outcome,” Samarasinghe said.
He also said he remains ready to assist President Dissanayake and the Government if called upon, adding that Sri Lankans can overcome challenges by working together and setting aside political agendas in the national interest.
The statement follows the latest announcement by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regarding tariffs under its Section 301 action. (Newswire)