Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane met the U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Elizabeth Allen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 17 February 2024, and discussed several recent positive developments between Sri Lanka and the U.S. in the 75th anniversary year of diplomatic relations.
Foreign Secretary welcomed the development assistance extended by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation in November 2023 to the Colombo West International Terminal Private Limited and appreciated the humanitarian and emergency aid extended to Sri Lanka to overcome the economic challenges of the country. She also welcomed the U.S. assistance in securing the Extended Fund Facility Programme (EFF) under IMF.
Foreign Secretary Wijewardane apprised Under Secretary Allen of the developments in the economic and reconciliation fronts, and Sri Lanka’s priorities as Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
Under Secretary Allen while assuring the continuous U.S. assistance to the Government towards realizing economic stability, discussed ways to strengthen people-to-people ties and Diaspora outreach.
Under Secretary Allen was accompanied by the Ambassador of the U.S. to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, officials from the Department of State, and the U.S. Embassy in Colombo. Senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were associated with the Foreign Secretary at the meeting.
