US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu to visit SL on Dec 5

Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, will visit Sri Lanka on December 5.

Assistant Secretary Lu will travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to advance U.S-Sri Lankan joint efforts in promoting sustainable economic growth, combating corruption and strengthening people-to-people ties. 

He is scheduled to visit India, Sri Lanka and Nepal during his trip from December 3 to December 10. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation with key partners in South Asia to promote regional prosperity and security.

In New Delhi, India, Assistant Secretary Lu will support U.S-India collaboration in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. He will join Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, to lead the U.S. delegation in the U.S-India East Asia Consultations. These consultations, along with separate meetings with senior Indian officials, will provide an opportunity to exchange perspectives on global and regional issues.

USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur and Department of the Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Kaproth will accompany him to meet with senior government officials from Sri Lanka’s new administration and representatives from civil society. These discussions aim to deepen ties with the new government, support its efforts to combat corruption and explore how the United States can assist Sri Lanka’s governance and economic reform agenda through tailored technical assistance, capacity building and development programmes.

Assistant Secretary Lu will conclude his trip in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he will meet with senior leaders to advance cooperation on environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development. He will also engage with youth leaders to gain insights into their vision for the future of U.S-Nepal relations. Additionally, discussions will highlight the importance of cultural preservation, recognizing Nepal’s rich heritage as a cornerstone of its identity and a key driver of its tourism and economy.