Dec. 31, 2022, Colombo: The United States has announced more than $240M in new assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022 alone, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said. She tweeted that new assistance supports basic food security and addresses the needs of the most vulnerable communities, including funding for school lunches, fertilizer for smallholder farmers, and cash assistance for new and expectant mothers. “We are also supporting loans, training and assistance for SMEs in Sri Lanka, as they face the heaviest burden in times of crisis. This assistance is on top of our existing development partnership working with government, the private sector, civil society, and the people of SL,” she tweeted.
She further said the relationship with SL is much bigger than just about assistance; it’s about partnership. “Together, we’ve taken steps to rid the oceans of plastics, address the climate change crisis, connect neighbours, build bilateral trade, and advance a free & open Indo-Pacific region.” She said 2022 had been an unforgettable year; “I am truly grateful for the people I’ve met, experiences I’ve shared, and the differences we’ve made together. I am hopeful that 2023 will bring economic recovery, lasting change, and new opportunities to the Sri Lankan people”.
