Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Wednesday, 29 June 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The visiting high-level US diplomatic delegation on Monday assured President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that the US Government will continue its support to strengthen the relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at all levels.
The assurance was extended to President Rajapaksa during the meeting between the US State Department and the Treasury delegation at the President’s House, Colombo.
President Rajapaksa commended the delegation for their visit to Sri Lanka and briefed them on the current economic and social crisis in the country. The President also briefed about the progress of the ongoing discussions with the IMF.
US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Kelly Keiderling and US Department of Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Asia Robert Kaproth also said that US President Joe Biden is very interested in the future of Sri Lanka.
The US President has also instructed to support Sri Lanka during this difficult time and to extend all possible assistance to the country.
The delegation expressed confidence that the implementation of the program with the IMF will provide relief to the vulnerable families and will continue to have a positive impact on the future.
They said that they were pleased with the similarities between the President’s understanding and their understanding of the economic reform process taking place in the country.
The delegation commended President Rajapaksa on the free space given to anyone to express their opinions without any hindrance to the rights given to freedom of expression.
The US Government has provided $ 100 million as medium-term assistance to Commercial Bank to promote and uplift small-scale businesses and $ 5.75 million and an additional $ 6 million financial assistance as humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka.
The delegation recalled the other US-supported projects such as polyester fibre and yarn processing projects which are manufactured with disposable plastic materials.
Kelly Kiederlin and Robert Caproth assured that they will support in requesting international banks to assist Sri Lanka when issuing letters of credit (LC) to obtain medicines and essential commodities.
Treasury Office Director for South and Southeast Asia Matthew Mohlenkamp, State SCA/NSB Economic Unit Chief John McDaniel, US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Ambassador Julie Chung, US Embassy Acting Political Chief Geoff Chanin, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Chief Adviser to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Chief of Staff to the President Anura Dissanayake were also present at this discussion.
