By: Isuru Parakrama
December 08, Colombo (LNW): Donald Lu, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, reiterated the United States’ commitment to assisting Sri Lanka with its ongoing anti-corruption initiatives.
The above assurance was made during a special meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (07), according to a statement by the President’s Media Division (PMD).
The discussion with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake focused on areas of financial and technical cooperation aimed at strengthening the nation’s security and economy.
Lu expressed the US government’s readiness to offer both financial aid and technical expertise to support Sri Lanka’s efforts in securing the nation’s future.
He particularly highlighted the willingness of the United States to assist in recovering funds that had been illicitly taken out of the country, an essential component of Sri Lanka’s broader anti-corruption strategy.
The talks also underscored the appreciation of the United States for the new administration’s approach to addressing Sri Lanka’s pressing political, economic, and social challenges.
Lu reaffirmed his country’s steadfast support for preserving Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasising that the US stands by Sri Lanka as it navigates these critical issues.
In his remarks, President Dissanayake discussed how the political culture in Sri Lanka plays a significant role in perpetuating corruption and waste within the system.
He shared that efforts are currently underway to foster a more transparent and effective political environment that would address these concerns.
The President also highlighted ongoing initiatives to improve living standards in rural areas by boosting the rural economy and modernising the civil service, with a particular focus on enhancing public service quality.
The meeting, which included several key figures from both governments, also served as a platform for further collaboration on issues of mutual interest.
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha Fernando, along with senior officials such as Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ms. Julie Chung, were also present.
The US delegation included notable figures such as Ms. Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia at USAID, and Mr. Robert Kaproth, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia and the Pacific at the U.S. Department of Treasury, among others.
