Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Monday, 9 December 2024 02:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu on Saturday expressed its Government’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s ongoing anti-corruption initiatives as needed during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.
He stated that the US is prepared to provide financial and technical assistance to strengthen Sri Lanka’s security and economy. He also emphasised the US Government’s willingness to offer technical expertise to help recover funds that were illegally taken out of the country, as part of Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption program.
The discussion highlighted the US Government’s appreciation for the new administration’s prioritisation of key political, economic, and social challenges. Lu reaffirmed US support for safeguarding Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Dissanayake highlighted that Sri Lanka’s political culture significantly influences corruption and waste. He emphasised that efforts are underway to reduce these issues by fostering a new and improved political culture.
The President also spoke about initiatives to uplift rural living standards through improvements to the rural economy and efforts to establish a modern civil service by enhancing the quality of public services.
The meeting was attended by Labour Minister and Economic Development Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, US Ambassador Julie Chung, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Anjali Kaur, US Department of Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia and the Pacific Robert Kaproth, USAID Mission Director Gabriel Grau, and Political and Economic Affairs Counsellor Shawn Gray, among others.
