Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Friday, 12 September 2025 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
US Ambassador Julie Chung, together with a delegation of senior officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), met with President Anura Kumara Disanayake yesterday.
The Heads of the USTR, who commended the delegation appointed by the Sri Lankan Government to negotiate the US tariffs on products imported from Sri Lanka, also praised the progress the country has achieved in its economic recovery.
Attention was also drawn to the assistance extended by the USTR towards Sri Lanka’s economic affairs to date, as well as to potential trade agreements expected to be developed between the two countries in the future.
The President, noting that Sri Lanka is a small economy in recovery, emphasised that even minor external shocks could have a considerable impact on the nation. He pointed out that in moving forward with trade negotiations, all such factors should be taken into account. He further underlined the importance of ensuring that every decision made should focus on strengthening the long-term bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and the US.
The USTR delegation included Director for South Asia Emily Ashby, Assistant United States Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, US Embassy in Colombo Economic and Commercial Officer Daniel Jackson, and Political and Economic Counsellor Anthony Pirnot.
Representing Sri Lanka were Labour Minister and Economic Development Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Senior Economic Adviser to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa, and Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Ministry Secretary K.A. Vimalenthirarajah.
