US Govt. proposes $ 31 million aid to Sri Lanka

The United States government has proposed a $31 million financial aid to Sri Lanka next year as the island nation entered a new era following the political transformation intimated with the election of President Maithripala Sirisena in January 2015.

“Following the historic political transition after Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 2015, U.S. assistance to Sri Lanka has entered a new era,” the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry noted in the State Department’s budget proposals to the Congress for Fiscal Year 2017.

The State Department’s budget for Foreign Operations and Related Programs submitted for congressional approval outlines what is necessary to support America’s continued leadership and to advance the full range of America’s national security objectives.

Secretary Kerry has proposed a US$31 million financial assistance to Sri Lanka for Fiscal Year 2017, beginning October 1 this year.

In FY 2017, the U.S. assistance will be used to “strengthen governance, democratic reform, and the rule of law by promoting and protecting human rights, strengthening justice sector institutions, and supporting civil society organizations.”

“FY 2017 resources will also be used to encourage reconciliation efforts and support anti-corruption activities - key foci as the government undertakes major reforms during this political transition,” the State Department proposals further read.

“To help increase economic stability, U.S. assistance will also work to improve economic governance and growth, while supporting livelihoods and promoting trade,” the State Department said.

Meanwhile, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which is requesting US$1,000 million for FY 2017, will support threshold programs with Sri Lanka, along with Togo.

The MCC, an innovative U.S. foreign assistance agency that operates on the principle of delivering assistance on the basis of a long-term consultative partnership with individual countries, has selected Sri Lanka as an eligible country for assistance from fiscal year 2016.

The Secretary of State has also sought US$ 2.8 million to promote the professionalisation of security forces in Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka with a particular focus on building land and maritime border security and disaster response capabilities.

For Sri Lanka, the FY 2017 budget proposals also request US$ 1 million for Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, US$ 500,000 for Military Education and Training and US$400,000 for Foreign Military Financing.

Secretary Kerry, who visited Sri Lanka in May 2015, noted that the island nation in a short time has made an enormous progress that can be measured and promised to broaden and deepen his country’s partnership with the people of Sri Lanka to restore democracy.