The U.S. Embassy has announced an additional commitment of $24.5 million (Rs. 7.2 billion) from the American people to further enhance the longstanding partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka.
This additional funding was revealed during a visit to Sri Lanka by Michael Schiffer, the Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Asia, at an event held at the Ministry of Finance. USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives Mission Director Gabriel Grau, along with State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe, also attended the ceremony on Friday.
The funds, provided through a Development Objective Grant Agreement between USAID and the Sri Lankan government, are aimed at bolstering Sri Lanka’s market-driven growth, fostering environmental sustainability and resilience, and promoting good governance practices. These funds will support collaborative efforts across government, non-governmental organizations, and civil society to create a positive impact on the lives of Sri Lankans.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung highlighted the ongoing commitment of the American people to investing in Sri Lanka’s economic growth and good governance, stating, “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.”
USAID Assistant Administrator Michael Schiffer echoed this sentiment, saying, “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 $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 offering humanitarian aid to those in need. Over the past seven decades, U.S. support has contributed to modernizing Sri Lanka’s diesel coaches, enhancing the Thriposha supplemental nutrition program, developing electric vehicle charging stations, and empowering women entrepreneurs to drive economic growth.
