Sri Lanka welcomes defence cooperation with the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region: Minister

Sri Lanka welcomes the defence cooperation with the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region and training and capacity-building opportunities offered to Sri Lankan military officials throughout the year, according to Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara.

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Making his remarks at the reception to mark the 249th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the United States on Thursday, he said Sri Lanka acknowledges the strong support extended by the United States during the economic crisis. In spite of the numerous challenges that Sri Lanka faced with the pandemic and the recent economic crisis, the people of Sri Lanka have remained resilient. We appreciate the crucial assistance extended by the United States in helping Sri Lanka to obtain the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the IMF and to conclude discussions with the bilateral partners on debt restructuring.

“Following the elections and with the strong democratic institutions, Sri Lanka has been able to make the much-needed transition towards both political and economic stability in the country, reinforcing the public’s trust in its governance and reform efforts,” he said.

The Minister said trade has been a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship, fostering economic growth as the U.S. remains the largest single destination for Sri Lankan exports. Sri Lanka’s total annual exports to the U.S. have exceeded US$ 3 billion in recent years.