US Praises Sri Lanka's Economic Reforms, Thanks for Red Sea Support

COLOMBO (News 1st); The United States Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma expressed appreciation for the efforts taken by the Sri Lankan Government to turn the economy around.

This was communicated during a meeting with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

During the discussions, the President outlined the progress of the debt restructuring, along with several key economic reforms measures, including the agriculture modernisation program.

Commenting on matters related to global security, the Deputy Secretary thanked the Sri Lankan Government for their assistance in the on-going naval operations in the Red Sea. 

The President stated that Sri Lanka remains committed to Freedom of Navigation in the Indian Ocean, echoing solidarity with Saudi Arabia’s stance on the Houthi rebels, said the President's Media Division.

The Deputy Secretary will visit the Port of Colombo’s West Container Terminal, where the United States is supporting Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery through $553 million in financing to transform Colombo into a regional shipping hub.  

Later, he will meet with civil society leaders to hear their perspective on democratic governance in Sri Lanka and with government officials to voice U.S. support for the protection of free speech and open discourse, said the US State Department.