Top United States delegates will visit Sri Lanka from June 26 to 27 to help the country through its economic crisis.
According to CNN, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Wednesday that the economy “completely collapsed.” The country is faced with food, fuel and electricity shortages.
The delegates going to the country include Robert Kaproth, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Asia, and Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia. They will meet with a wide range of political representatives, economists, and international organizations, Colombo Gazette reports.
Effective ways the United States can help Sri Lanka will be discussed during their meetings, as well as how Sri Lankans can work to resolve the crisis their country is facing.
“This visit underscores our ongoing commitment to the security and prosperity of the Sri Lankan people,” said U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, according to Colombo Gazette. “As Sri Lankans endure some of the greatest economic challenges in their history, our efforts to support economic growth and strengthen democratic institutions have never been more critical.”
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Over the past few weeks, the United States provided financial support to the island country with $120 million in new financing for Sri Lankan small and medium-sized businesses, a $27 million contribution to Sri Lanka’s dairy industry and $5.75 million in humanitarian assistance to help those most in need during the crisis, the Colombo Gazette said.
The United States announced a committed $6 million in new grants to provide livelihood assistance to vulnerable populations, and technical assistance on financial reform that will help with the stability of the economy.
If Sri Lankans need urgent help, the United States strongly suggests assistance from the International Monetary Fund which provides the most durable resolution.
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