The first highest level talks with SL: US re-emphasizes importance of IMF programme, encourages continuous engagement

• Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu emphasizes advancement of economic recovery, democratic governance, and regional security  

By Kelum Bandara

In the wake of the visit of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu as the first highest level engagement with the new government in Sri Lanka, the United States said it views the IMF (International Monetary Fund) programme as essential to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and resilience and encourages continued engagement to drive sustainable growth and improve livelihoods.   

This was the response of the U.S. embassy to a query made by Daily Mirror on the importance of the IMF programme.   

Asked what the US stressed upon the new government during the visit, the spokesperson said Mr. Lu emphasised the importance of the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership in advancing key priorities, including economic recovery, democratic governance, and regional security.   

Alongside USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur and Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Kaproth, reaffirmed U.S. support for Sri Lanka’s reform agenda, focusing on anti-corruption, accountability, and sustainable economic growth, according to the spokesperson.   
Responding to a query about the ways in which the U. S. helps Sri Lanka in tackling corruption, the spokesperson said corruption undermines economic growth, security, and public trust, preventing governments from fully addressing citizens’ needs.   

“That’s why the US is committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption efforts through a range of tailored initiatives. These include technical assistance to strengthen legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, training programmes for investigators and prosecutors, and capacity-building for government institutions to enhance transparency and accountability. Additionally, we support civil society’s efforts to raise awareness about good governance and promote accountability. These initiatives aim to build trust, encourage the responsible use of public resources, and contribute to a more transparent and equitable environment for all Sri Lankans,” the spokesperson said.   
Asked whether there will be any policy shift under President-elect Donald Trump, the spokesperson said the U.S. policy reflects long-standing commitments to democracy, economic growth, and regional security, and these principles guide our partnership with Sri Lanka, and we remain focused on advancing our shared priorities.“It is important to remember that there is one President and one administration at a time – and the new President does not take office until noon on January 20, 2025. Until then, President Biden will continue working hard through his last day – as will we – on key foreign policy and national security issues.