Steps to expedite development activities powered by USAID grants

COLOMBO (News 1st); Steps have been taken to accelerate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded development projects in Sri Lanka, and this was discussed at a meeting held between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Director of the USAID Sri Lanka Office, Reed J. Aeschliman, at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (07). A number of development activities funded by the USAID have already been launched in the country, said the President's Media Division adding that some of these projects remain inactive due to various reasons. Both parties discussed the reasons for the delay and agreed to complete the development work expeditiously, the PMD added. A massive development process has been strategized in the country as envisioned in the national policy framework “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”. The President highlighted the need to implement the development activities funded by the USAID in a productive manner to support this. A special aircraft carrying covid-19 medical equipment and supplies valued at more than USD 6 million donated by the US arrived in Sri Lanka recently. President Rajapaksa extended his gratitude for the donation and explained the Government’s programme of combatting the covid-19 pandemic.