Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma says the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is yet to officially inform the Government of Sri Lanka regarding the impact on its projects, following the executive order by US President Donald Trump on providing international aid. 

Addressing the Parliament today, Deputy Minister Suriyapperuma said that USAID must inform of any freeze of funds, according to their agreement with the Sri Lankan Government.

“USAID has not informed us in writing yet on what will happen to the money it supplies to the Sri Lanka government,” the Deputy Minister said. 

He further said USAID has agreed to inform the government in writing of the cancellation or freeze of funds of any project, due to the current order. 

In February, on the first day of his second term in office, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order freezing foreign aid for at least 90 days. President Trump, who is a long-term critic of overseas spending, has said it does not represent value for money for American taxpayers.

Against this backdrop, US officials also revealed that USAID will be merged with the State Department and will have significant cuts in the workforce but will remain a humanitarian aid entity.

USAID also announced that all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally with effect from 07 February 2025, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs. (Newswire)

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US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung visited the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) head office in Colombo today. 

Soon after her arrival, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa also arrived at the SLPP head office.

Ambassador Julie Chung’s visit comes in the backdrop of MP Namal Rajapaksa having called for a probe into the activities of Non-Governmental Organizations funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“Following the #USAID exposure by the @POTUS administration, the @PodujanaParty propose to the Speaker of Parliament to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to identify the NGOs – both registered and unregistered – operating in the country and who is funding them. When clearly there is suspicion raised by the #USA Government, #SriLanka should not ignore the warnings and conduct a probe for the benefit and stability of the nation,” MP Rajapaksa said in a recent post on ‘X’.

However, commenting on today’s meeting with US Ambassador Julie Chung, MP Namal Rajapaksa said they engaged in discussions of mutual interest and reaffirmed the SLPP’s dedication to strengthening the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Sri Lanka.

“We commend the non-interference foreign policy upheld by U.S. President @realDonaldTrump and his call for greater transparency in the use of taxpayer funds,” he said in a post on ‘X’.

MP Rajapaksa further said, additionally, they briefed Ambassador Chung on the SLPP’s proposal for a Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate the use of USAID funds by both registered and unregistered NGOs in Sri Lanka, with a focus on ensuring transparency in the allocation of U.S. taxpayer resources.

He added that the SLPP looks forward to collaborating closely with the new U.S. administration for the mutual benefit of both nations. (Newswire)

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Former MP Wimal Weerawansa alleged that the USAID has spent US $7.9 million in Sri Lanka on projects designed to destroy the country’s culture and reduce its population.

“According to Elon Musk, USAID has spent US$ 7.9 million for Sri Lankan projects, which is over Rs. 2400 million approximately,” he said addressing a media briefing.

Weerawansa alleged that Elon Musk personally intervened to dismantle USAID funding across the world, claiming it was influenced by his son’s exposure to gender transition advocacy supported by USAID-funded organizations.

“They promoted various kinds of change, especially change related to the promotion of the LGBTQ community among the youth. US$ 7.9 million is a massive sum,” he said, adding that these projects were designed to promote gender change and ultimately reduce population.

“Bill Gates once said that the world was overpopulated, and therefore needs to be controlled by creating disease. To cure diseases, vaccines are required,” Weerawansa said, alleging that it was a conspiracy to promote businesses as well.

He also claimed that these funds were spent to teach Sri Lankan journalists the use of gendered language.

We urge the government and the opposition to reveal which media outlets received how much in funding for these activities,” Weerawansa said.

The former MP called for an explanation as to how these funds were utilised by media organisations and YouTubers, especially if they were funding regime changes and anti-buddhist groups.

“Not only have people of this country been bought, but also political leaders have been funded through these initiatives that were designed to destroy our culture,” he said, adding that he plans to reveal names in future.

Weerawansa’s comments come after USAID placed all direct-hire staff on leave globally after mass layoffs and program shutdowns due to US President Donald Trump’s foreign aid freeze policy.

Meanwhile the Sunday Times reported that the project in question was the “Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka” (MEND) implemented by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) with USAID funding. 

MEND originally spanned five years and was extended for two more, during which they worked on several programmes, the report said quoting officials who worked with the project who had requested anonymity. 

They said that expanding gender-sensitivity was a part of the programming but not the most significant component.

“MEND’s funding went towards a media exchange programme, investigative journalism workshops, web development grants for publications, teaching digital literacy, training on pandemic and election reporting, and grants to upgrade newsrooms, amongst other things. The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) and leading media outlets in Sri Lanka (which received newsroom training and grants for web development) were among the beneficiaries. The project ended last year,” the report said. (Newswire)

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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that all direct-hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, effective Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (EST).

Thousands of USAID employees had already been laid off, and numerous programs worldwide were shut down after US President Donald Trump imposed a broad freeze on foreign assistance.

Exceptions will be made for designated personnel handling mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs. Those required to continue working will be notified by February 6 at 3:00 p.m. (EST), USAID in a statement said.

For USAID personnel stationed outside the US, the agency, in coordination with missions and the Department of State, is preparing a plan to facilitate their return travel within 30 days. Non-essential personal services (PSC) and institutional support (ISC) contracts will be terminated, the statement said.

USAID said exceptions for extended stay may be granted on a case-by-case basis for reasons such as dependents’ school terms, medical needs, pregnancy, or safety concerns.

“The Agency will consider case-by-case exceptions and return travel extensions based on personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, or other reasons. For example, the Agency will consider exceptions based on the timing of dependents’ school term, personal or familial medical needs, pregnancy, and other reasons. Further guidance on how to request an exception will be forthcoming.” (Newswire)

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MP Namal Rajapaksa has urged the government to launch an investigation into USAID-funded projects and grants in Sri Lanka, citing concerns over transparency and accountability.

In a post published on ‘X’, Rajapaksa highlighted recent allegations in Western media that USAID funds have been used to cause instability in various countries under the guise of humanitarian aid.

He noted that Sri Lanka has received millions of dollars from USAID in recent years, with over 100 NGOs, as well as politicians and media figures, benefiting from these funds.

“I call upon the govt. to conduct a probe on these projects and grants operated under USAID and present a detailed report to Parliament. A detailed account on these NGOs who benefitted from them must also be submitted,” he said.

Rajapaksa stressed that despite USAID’s involvement in multiple sectors, there has been no clear accounting of how these funds were utilized. He called on the government to present a detailed report to Parliament, listing the NGOs that received USAID funding.

He also urged the government to introduce long-pending regulations on NGO financing.

“Regulations for financing NGO’s has been on the cards for many years but it has not yet been done. I request the govt. to bring in these regulations to maintain transparency.” (Newswire)

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Sixty-nine professionals have successfully completed Sri Lanka’s first-ever certificate program in migration law and policy, a six-month course conducted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL). 

The program equipped participants with the knowledge and tools to combat human trafficking and promote safe migration practices within their communities.

The six-month course was a joint effort between USAID’s “Empowering Civil Society to Combat Human Trafficking” project (ECCT) and the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL). The SAFE Foundation implements ECCT. 

This course on migration and law marked the first ever collaboration between a civil society organization and a leading Sri Lankan university to provide a structured academic course.

The students, who included government officials, journalists, youth, volunteers, and members of civil society, studied migration laws and policies at the national level via the online course. 

Fifty of the students took the course in Sinhala and the remaining studied in Tamil. The students received their certificates on December 20 in a ceremony at the OUSL Department of Legal Studies in Nawala.

“Human trafficking is a global problem but the fight against it starts locally, in every community,” said USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives Mission Director Gabriel Grau. 

“The United States is proud to partner with Sri Lankan institutions and local professionals on migration law and policy so they can work in their communities to encourage safe migration and stop human trafficking.”

The course covered topics that included migration and state responsibility in the context of international migration; the international legal framework to address human trafficking and smuggling; prevention of irregular migration practices; and the rights of victims, returnees, and reintegration. In addition to bringing the battle against trafficking to their communities, certification will increase the graduates’ confidence, enabling them to engage with government officials, private sector officials, and communities at divisional, district and national levels.

The US State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) recognized progress in Sri Lanka toward fighting TIP, keeping the country at its Tier 2 status. But the report also urged the government of Sri Lanka to strengthen its efforts in prosecuting and investigating TIP crimes, and identifying TIP victims among migrant workers, among other actions. (Newswire)

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The US Government has donated vital equipment to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to strengthen Sri Lanka’s preparedness for climate-related emergencies.

The donation has been made through the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) via the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

According to the WFP, this consignment, part of a broader U.S. $2.5 million (approximately LKR 760 million) USAID-funded WFP project, complements government efforts to improve its disaster risk management capacities.

The consignment, comprising submersible water pumps, kitchen sets, chainsaws, polysack bags, and tarpaulins, was handed over at an event by Dustin Shiau, USAID BHA’s Regional Humanitarian Advisor for South and Central Asia to Major General (Retired) Udaya Herath, Director General of the DMC, alongside officials from the Sri Lankan government and WFP.

“Helping save lives, protect property, and reduce the impact of disasters on populations is at the core of U.S. humanitarian disaster response efforts in Sri Lanka and worldwide. The United States through USAID has been working with Sri Lanka’s disaster management authorities to augment their preparations to prevent and mitigate disasters and their impact on at-risk populations – a critical first step in the disaster management process. Our support to disaster preparedness reflects the values of the American people and the continued strong partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka to ensure critically needed assistance reaches the most vulnerable during their times of need,” said Chargé d’Affaires Doug Sonnek of the U.S. Embassy to Sri Lanka.

“Effective preparedness is critical in saving lives and livelihoods and preventing hazards from turning into disasters,” said Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, WFP Sri Lanka’s Representative and Country Director. “As climate change intensifies, our efforts are channelled towards mitigating its impact to safeguard people and their access to food and nutrition. We are grateful for the continued support from the United States in strengthening Sri Lanka’s ability to better prepare for climate shocks.”

Recent flooding caused by the South-west monsoon affected 20 of the country’s 25 districts. A WFP-led joint rapid assessment mission was carried out in the aftermath of the floods by humanitarian and Government of Sri Lanka partners to understand the needs of affected communities. The findings also highlighted government priorities to support its response efforts. 

The prepositioning of items is one of many US-funded initiatives to support Sri Lanka to ensure it is prepared to swiftly assist affected communities during emergencies, including climate-induced disasters.

The United States is one of WFP’s largest donors globally. Through USAID, WFP has assisted Sri Lanka in times of emergencies, while supporting in rebuilding fragile food systems and promoting access to better nutrition. (Newswire)

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The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is supporting the Sri Lankan Ministry of Finance to modernize the country’s trade facilitation infrastructure through the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Trade National Single Window System (TNSWS). 

According to the US Embassy in Colombo, the TNSWS, when operational, will streamline the collection of information required for trade, leading to increased transparency and efficiency, reduced costs, and more potential revenue.

As part of the ongoing collaboration, the Department of Trade and Investment Policy of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies with support from USAID recently held a workshop for 94 key TNSWS project stakeholders. The interactive workshop enhanced participants’ understanding of how the single window system works and its benefits. It also encouraged collaboration and sustainability in Sri Lanka’s TNSWS implementation.

“As a long-time partner and Sri Lanka’s largest export market, the United States supports efforts to boost exports and improve efficiency for businesses and government agencies. We are committed to initiatives like the TNSWS, which will make trade more transparent and predictable, easing business challenges,” said USAID Mission Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Gabriel Grau.

Mr. K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, emphasized, “Establishing a trade national single window system is crucial as Sri Lanka recovers from an unprecedented economic crisis. The TNSWS will increase our trade competitiveness and support export growth, leading to sustained economic stability.”

As part of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement, which Sri Lanka signed in 2017, implementation of a TNSWS is required.  The implementation of a TNSWS received cabinet approval in 2022.

Over the past year, the United States has provided technical assistance to help the Government of Sri Lanka establish a Project Implementation Unit to lead the TNSWS project. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted to increase the grant provided by the Government of the United States of America up to USD 52.835 million for the “Programme for a Sri Lanka with democracy, prosperity and the capability to face disasters”.

According to the government, an agreement was signed between the Governments of Sri Lanka and the USA in August 2022 to receive a grant to finance the said programme. 

Under the agreement, Sri Lanka was granted an amount of USD 9.069 million and during the year the value of the grant was revised up to USD 28.299 million twice. 

However, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has proposed to further increase the value of the grant up to USD 52.835 million. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, to revise the corporative agreement by increasing the grant up to USD 52.835 million for the said programme. (Newswire)

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The U.S. Embassy has announced that Sri Lanka’s USAID-funded Sri Lanka Energy Project (SLEP) has received top honours at the 2024 annual conference for the Society for International Development, the premier U.S. event for international development professionals. 

The award was given in recognition of the innovative solar-powered electric vehicle battery swapping stations owned and operated by Sri Lanka’s Sling Mobility (Pvt.) Ltd., particularly highlighting the station located at the Center for Women’s Research in Colombo, which generates income to support the center’s activities. 

In a ceremony held on Wednesday (June 13) at the Center for Women’s Research, U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung and Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera presented the Innovation Competition Award to representatives from SLEP and Sling Mobility. 

“It is inspiring to see this international honour come to Sri Lanka, especially since this is such a great example of innovation, renewable energy, private sector development, and women’s empowerment,” Ambassador Chung said, noting the project’s solar-powered battery swapping station at the women’s centre contributes to the centre’s income and supports sustainable urban mobility. “The United States is committed to our partnership with Sri Lanka to develop solutions that secure the country’s energy future, drive economic development, and lift all segments of society.” 

This year’s conference “World in Crisis: Sparks of Hope” saw over 1,500 in-person and virtual attendees voting for innovative approaches to sustainable development. The USAID-supported SLING “360° Sustainable Mobility” project emerged as a standout, providing cost-effective and efficient solutions to the retail logistics sector through a smart electric vehicle ecosystem. This initiative significantly reduces the high initial costs of buying batteries and e-bikes by offering a battery subscription service. Collaborating with Uber for food delivery services, Sling Mobility has demonstrated the model’s effectiveness in reducing downtime for riders, thus saving both money and time.      

“SLING Mobility’s collaboration with USAID marks a significant step towards a sustainable and green future for urban mobility in Sri Lanka,” said Sling Chief Executive Officer Love Yadav.

“The “360° Sustainable Mobility” solar powered battery swapping project is not just a technological innovation but a testament to the transformative power of partnerships driving positive change and has a potential of sustained innovation in the energy sector beyond electric mobility.” 

Additionally, USAID SLEP’s assistance also focuses on economically disadvantaged and marginalized populations, promoting their involvement in the retail logistics sector through electric vehicle use. In its first phase, the initiative trained 18 drivers, assisted 10 individuals in obtaining driver’s licenses and conducted four outreach activities reaching over 100 participants. 

The USAID Sri Lanka Energy Program is part of the broader U.S. partnership with the Sri Lankan people to promote a healthy, educated, and employed population. The program supports transforming Sri Lanka’s power sector into a market-based, secure, reliable, and sustainable system by mobilizing investment to deploy advanced technologies, increase flexibility, and enhance competitiveness. (Newswire) 

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United States through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have partnered with the Sri Lanka Ministry of Agriculture in a (US) $9.2-million activity to continue revitalizing agriculture in Sri Lanka by enhancing paddy productivity, diversifying crops on marginal land, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Issuing a statement, the FAO said USAID is funding the four-year extension of support to Sri Lankan paddy farmers, which will benefit 10,000 farmers across four districts – Hambanthota, Vauniya, Anuradhapura and Kurunegala. FAO and the ministry will help farmers diversify use of 1,250 hectares of paddy lands during the Yala cultivation season to grow suitable cash crops. In addition, the activity will help farmers use resources such as water and fertilizer more efficiently across 5,000 acres of paddy. The funds also will help establish streamlined supply chains to ensure the timely availability of supplies and machinery to farmers at affordable prices.

The project builds on the United States’ 2022 donation of 36,000 metric tons of Triple Super Phosphate and 9,800 metric tons of urea in the midst of the country’s economic and food security crisis, which FAO and the ministry distributed to more than 1 million farmers.

“Our paddy farmers underwent significant challenges over the past few years,” said Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera in expressing his appreciation for the commitment to revitalize the sector. “USAID and FAO provided essential fertilizer free of charge for more than 1 million paddy farmers in the country at a crucial time. This initiative builds on that support to continue ensuring increased incomes for the most vulnerable paddy farmers in Sri Lanka.”

“USAID is proud to continue our partnership with FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture,” said USAID Mission Director Gabriel Grau. “Our mutual goals for crop diversification and agricultural efficiency are a natural extension of our work to increase productivity of Sri Lankan agriculture and improve the livelihoods of smallholder paddy farmers.”

In remarks at the launch of the initiative, FAO Representative Vimlendra Sharan called the partnership with USAID and the Ministry of Agriculture a “significant milestone in our commitment to continue to support Sri Lankan agriculture. By combining resources and expertise, we aim to bring about positive and sustainable changes for the farming community.” 

FAO and USAID emphasized their commitment to closely collaborating with the government of Sri Lanka and other key stakeholders to ensure the success of this initiative. By fostering resilience and sustainability, the program seeks to contribute to the overall recovery of the agriculture sector, promoting increased yield and profitability for smallholder farmers. (NewsWire)

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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over a substantial consignment of 4,700mt of soya beans and maize to Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited, to support the continuation of the Thriposha fortified food programme. 

Issuing a statement, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said it facilitated the handover at a special event held at the Thriposha factory.

This consignment forms part of a wider contribution of USD20 million from the United States towards WFP’s emergency operation to support Sri Lankan communities impacted by the country’s economic crisis. As a significant contributor locally and globally, the US has enabled WFP to provide cash, food assistance and value vouchers to food-insecure Sri Lankan families, while supporting national food and nutrition programmes, including school meals and Thriposha- a fortified blended food product. 

“The U.S. Agency for International Development is pleased to deepen our long partnership with Sri Lanka through our recent emergency funding to provide essential ingredients for the Thriposha blended food supplement to prevent malnutrition of Sri Lankan children,” states Asta Zinbo, Director of the Office of Governance and Vulnerable Populations, USAID. “Responding to last year’s crisis, we witnessed the delivery of the last shipment of maize and soya beans to the Thriposha factory, in close collaboration with our partners the World Food Programme, the Ministry of Health and the Sri Lankan government.  USAID supported Thriposha at the beginning in 1973, and it’s wonderful to see our joint efforts continue to safeguard the futures of countless children and mothers in Sri Lanka today.”

The country’s economic crisis, with lost jobs, reduced incomes, and soaring costs of living, has affected people’s ability to access healthy meals. Vulnerable groups, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children, are at elevated risk of malnutrition.

“Of all of the groups affected by the country’s economic crisis, it is the children and women we are worried about the most,” says Gerard Rebello, Deputy Country Director of WFP, Sri Lanka. “We are grateful for the generosity and support from the United States in assisting these vulnerable groups, so they receive critical nutrition at a time when they need it the most. WFP’s support to the Thriposha programme is an integral part of our emergency operation to safeguard development progress and mitigate the long-term effects of the economic crisis.” 

Thriposha is used to supplement a regular diet with essential nutrition and is provided free of charge through the national nutritional programme. The US-funded raw materials will be used to provide four rounds of Thriposha for over half a million pregnant and breastfeeding women, and undernourished children under five. 

WFP, with funding from donors like the US, has reached over 3.8 million people with food and nutrition assistance since June 2022 through its emergency operation, including those who received support through multiple activities. (NewsWire)

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The United States of America has announced the commitment of more than US$19 million in additional funds to further the development of Sri Lanka.

According to the US Embassy in Colombo, the announcement was made during a ceremony at the Sri Lanka Ministry of Finance yesterday (Sep 20).

The U.S. $19.23 million (Rs 6.2 billion) is obligated through the Development Objective Grant Agreement between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the government of Sri Lanka. 

This development assistance will support economic growth and democratic governance activities and demonstrates the ongoing U.S. commitment to its partnership with Sri Lanka and in building lasting people-to-people ties. 

The signing was commemorated today in a ceremony with Mission Director Grau and Mr. K M Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance Sri Lanka.

“This investment demonstrates the United States’ ongoing commitment to our partnership with Sri Lanka and our steadfast support to the people of this stunning, opportunity-filled country, as USAID Administrator Samantha Power and President Wickremesinghe discussed in New York,” said Gabriel Grau, USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives Mission Director. “With these funds we’ll continue to work with the government of Sri Lanka to improve economic growth and democratic governance and advocate for vulnerable populations.”

“The people of Sri Lanka appreciate the continued close collaboration and the very cordial partnership and support extended by the Government of the United States of America to Sri Lanka,” said Secretary Siriwardana. ”This grant will reinforce the government’s efforts to strengthen a democratic, prosperous, and resilient Sri Lanka.”

The United States has provided more than $2 billion (nearly Rs720 billion) in assistance to Sri Lanka since 1956. (NewsWire)

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Eight Sri Lankan business conglomerates have signed agreements to pursue commercial mediation to settle disputes as opposed to always using litigation, a move that will help make the Sri Lankan judicial system more efficient and effective by reducing case backlogs.

According to the US Embassy in Colombo, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) assisted with the development of a memorandum of understanding the eight companies individually signed on Tuesday (July 18) with USAID’s Effective and Efficient Justice (EEJ) activity. 

The agreements enable the companies to receive commercial mediation training, exposure to international-standard mediation and commercial mediation services and encourage the companies to incorporate a mediation clause into their corporate contracts.

Commercial mediation is a viable alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism that also will help promote investments and commercial development in Sri Lanka.

Nations Trust Bank PLC, Tudawe Brothers (Pvt) Ltd., AKK Engineering, Nawaloka Constructions, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company, Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd., Ranasinha Constructions, and MAC Holdings signed their agreements at a ceremony held at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.

The partnerships are part of the commercial mediation pilot program launched by USAID under its EEJ activity. The activity provides training in commercial mediation and other ADR methods for these companies through workshops facilitated by international mediation experts. To improve ADR services in Sri Lanka, the project also trains ADR centers in mediation center management and administration.

“By helping adopt international best practices in case management and court management, and also by improving legal education and promoting and facilitating the use of ADR mechanisms, we hope to see reduced case delays and court backlogs, and promote the principles of people-centered justice,” said Ali Ezzatyar, USAID Acting Mission Director. “We believe that a strong justice system not only ensures the rule of law but provides easy access.”

Since 2021, USAID’s Efficient and Effective Justice activity has been helping to equip the justice sector with international best practices, systems, and tools. (NewsWire)

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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed Stephanie Wilcock, Director for Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) on a visit to Sri Lanka. 

Issuing a statement, WFP stated that during the visit, Wilcock met with poor rural communities to understand their food and nutrition needs, and how WFP’s US-funded programmes will help them overcome challenges brought on by the economic crisis.   

As part of the visit, Wilcock travelled to Ratnapura, where she spoke with food-insecure families faced with high food prices and unemployment. The community will soon receive US-funded cash assistance through WFP worth LKR 20,000 (approximately US$55) for four consecutive months which will empower them with the choice to meet their essential needs in local markets, while also helping to boost the economy.

“Sri Lanka continues to experience significantly high levels of food insecurity, affecting over 30 per cent of the population, most notably among the poor,” said Gerard Rebello, Acting Country Director for WFP Sri Lanka. “We are extremely grateful for the invaluable support from the Government and people of the United States, which has been critical in enabling WFP to expand its emergency assistance. The funding from USAID will help WFP address humanitarian needs and prevent food insecurity from deteriorating further.” 

The United States has funded nearly one-third of Sri Lanka’s emergency operation requirement, with a contribution of US$20 million (LKR 7.3 billion) in 2022. The funds allow WFP to provide cash, food assistance and value vouchers to food-insecure families, and to support national food and nutrition programmes, including school meals and Thriposha, a fortified blended food product for pregnant and nursing mothers and young children.  

USAID’s long-time support for the Government of Sri Lanka through WFP has helped improve the country’s capacity in disaster risk management, particularly against natural hazards. During the trip, Wilcock also visited an emergency operations centre in Ratnapura to observe how US funding has enabled district-level emergency coordination systems development. Wilcock was given an overview of how the centre provides timely information to safeguard communities from natural hazards such as floods and landslides. 

WFP, with funding from donors like the US, has reached two million people since June 2022 through its emergency operation, with plans to reach 3.4 million people with food and nutrition assistance in the coming months. (NewsWire)

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The first group of Sri Lankan public sector accounting and auditing professionals participated in Sri Lanka Public Sector Accounting Standards 11-20 through a training by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) and its public sector wing, the Association of Public Finance Accountants of Sri Lanka (APFASL).

According to teh US Embassy in Sri Lanka, the US Government, through its development arm – the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – supported the training under its Partnership for Accelerating Results in Trade, National Expenditure, and Revenue (PARTNER) activity.

The first 50 of a total of 600 public sector accountants and auditors learned about the standards, which provide a framework for preparing and presenting financial statements under the accrual accounting system in line with international best practices. The partnership of USAID, CA Sri Lanka, and the APFASL will also train 1,200 public sector workers on the effective application of IT systems for data management, analysis, and strategic decision-making. 

“As one of the country’s longstanding development partners, we are committed to help strengthen and streamline Sri Lanka’s public financial management practices and thereby its path to recovery,” USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives Mission Director Gabriel Grau said at the inaugural training. “Further strengthening skills and competencies of key accounting and auditing professionals can help contribute to this long-term goal through improved financial analysis, planning, and management”. 

In his opening remarks, V. Kanagasabapathy, President of APFASL, said: “Strong public financial management is imperative to achieve the long-term goals of any country, therefore, in our standing as the public sector wing of CA Sri Lanka, APFASL has taken immense pride in being a catalyst in helping strengthen the public financial management practices in Sri Lanka. We are delighted that the U.S. Government has recognized our important work and is supporting our efforts to help public sector accounting and auditing professionals perform better.”

Heshana Kuruppu, CA Sri Lanka Vice President said, “The public sector in Sri Lanka is considered to be large in comparison to the size of our economy, employing approximately 1.5 million people. This sector also holds the key to helping change the lives of 22 million people. Excellent public financial management will play a critical role in achieving this important objective and improve productivity of the sector. As the national body of accountants, CA Sri Lanka together with APFASL are committed to helping the public sector contribute effectively to the economy. The launch of this landmark program with USAID is part of our continuing efforts to achieve this crucial goal.”

USAID’s PARTNER helps facilitate trade and strengthen government efficiency to fuel broad-based economic growth in support of the Government of Sri Lanka’s vision for economic development and improved international trade. This project is one component of the longstanding partnership between the American and Sri Lankan people to promote a healthy, educated, and employed population. To find out more about USAID’s work, please see usaid.gov/Sri-Lanka. (NewsWire)

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