August 10, Colombo (LNW): The U.S. Embassy has announced an additional commitment of US$ 24.5 million (Rs. 7.2 billion) from the American people to further support Sri Lanka’s development and strengthen the long-standing partnership between the two nations. The announcement was made during a visit to Sri Lanka by Michael Schiffer, Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Asia, at an event held at the Finance Ministry. The event was also attended by USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives Mission Director Gabriel Grau and Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe.
The funds, allocated through a Development Objective Grant Agreement between USAID and the Sri Lankan Government, aim to bolster Sri Lanka’s market-driven growth, enhance environmental sustainability and resilience, and promote good governance practices. These efforts are expected to make a significant positive impact on the lives of Sri Lankans through partnerships with the government, non-governmental organizations, and civil society.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung highlighted the enduring commitment of the American people to investing in Sri Lanka’s economic growth and good governance: “Since 1956, the United States has invested in Sri Lanka’s people, empowering them in their entrepreneurial pursuits, strengthening Sri Lanka’s resilience to climate change and macro-economic shocks, and enriching lives across the country. This additional funding demonstrates our steadfast commitment to working with local partners in Sri Lanka. Together, we are building a foundation for lasting stability and prosperity for communities across the country.”
Michael Schiffer, USAID Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Asia, emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership: “The United States and the American people are proud of our longstanding partnership with Sri Lanka and its people. This funding is an investment to further support the country’s locally led initiatives to drive sustainable solutions for Sri Lanka’s development challenges.”
Since 1956, the United States has provided over US$ 2 billion (Rs. 598 billion) in assistance to Sri Lanka, supporting a wide range of sectors including agriculture, education, health, environment, water, sanitation, infrastructure, governance, and business development, as well as providing humanitarian aid. U.S. support has been instrumental in modernizing Sri Lanka’s diesel coaches, supporting the Thriposha supplemental nutrition program, developing electric vehicle charging stations, and empowering women entrepreneurs to drive economic growth.
