Fifth SL – USA Partnership Dialogue welcomes cooperation in defence sector

Sri Lanka and the United States welcomed ongoing bilateral defense and security sector cooperation, including U.S. support for humanitarian demining and disaster relief and response, joint military engagements, cooperation on cyber security, and port security during the Fifth Sri Lanka – USA Partnership Dialogue concluded in Washington, D.C. last week.

The Sri Lanka and US delegations were led by Foreign Ministry Secretary Aruni Wijewardene and Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs of the U.S. State Department John Bass.

The Sri Lanka delegation included Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe, officials of the Sri Lanka Embassy, Washington D.C. and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The USA delegation included representatives of the US State Department, the US Treasury, the US Defense Department, the US Agency for International Development, the National Security Council and the White House.

In a joint statement, both nations resolved to continue cooperation on maritime security aimed at a safe maritime domain in the Indian Ocean, including through activities undertaken under Sri Lanka’s tenure as Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Excerpts from the joint statement: Both delegations reiterated their intent to explore new opportunities to enhance market access, bilateral trade, investment, and tourism.? The United States expressed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s progress in its IMF programme by encouraging private-sector investment, enhancing its capacity to combat corruption, and addressing food insecurity for vulnerable populations.? The U.S. delegation welcomed the Sri Lankan Government’s increased investment in the social protection network, including measures to support women through the Women’s Empowerment Act. Sri Lanka welcomed the role of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which is committing US$ 553 million to support the development of the West Container Terminal at the Colombo Port, an investment that provides critical infrastructure and jobs. The DFC continues to explore additional opportunities to invest in Sri Lanka. The delegations also welcomed continued discussions under the U.S. – Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement in the coming year, where they will discuss bilateral trade issues.

Both countries committed to continue working together to address climate change and other environmental challenges.? The United States welcomed Sri Lanka’s goal to produce 70 percent of electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and to attain carbon neutrality by 2050. The United States is providing assistance under the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Sri Lanka Energy Programme. Sri Lanka expressed appreciation for ongoing U.S. grant assistance to help meet these goals, including technical assistance to support energy sector reform and a pipeline of renewable energy projects. Sri Lanka appreciated U.S. support to achieve global climate financing targets and welcomed U.S. support on financing its energy transition as discussed during the COP 28 in 2023.

The United States expressed its intent to continue supporting the sustainable development of Sri Lanka through the U.S. Agency for International Development, including through programmes to strengthen transparency, governance, and economic resilience; enhance environmental and climate resilience; and improve energy security and sustainability.? This includes the announcement of USAID’s forthcoming five-year activity to foster inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth in Sri Lanka.

The U.S. delegation reaffirmed its commitment to promote school nutrition and education cooperation for Sri Lankan children in consultation with the Sri Lankan Government. Both sides recognised that these measures would facilitate Sri Lanka’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Sri Lanka appreciated the successful nutrition campaign conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Foreign Agricultural Service McGovern-Dole Food for Education Programme PALAM/A project with Save the Children and the new five-year, US$ 32.5 million project expansion to provide meals to about 200,000 students covered under Sri Lanka’s national school meal programme.

The delegations affirmed the U.S. commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Sri Lanka and the United States resolved to continue cooperation on maritime security aimed at a safe maritime domain in the Indian Ocean, including through activities undertaken under Sri Lanka’s tenure as Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Sri Lanka welcomed the planned arrival of the fourth High Endurance U.S. Coast Guard Cutter transferred through the U.S. Excess Defense Articles programme and a King Air aircraft to strengthen Sri Lanka’s maritime domain awareness and respond to humanitarian and post-disaster needs, totaling US$ 30.18 million.

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