The United States has reduced tariffs on Sri Lankan exports to 10%, marking a significant development in bilateral trade relations between the two countries.
According to Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, the tariff reduction follows a series of successful negotiations carried out by the Sri Lankan delegation under the guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Ambassador Samarasinghe stated that the achievement was made possible through the delegation’s strategic negotiations, continuous coordination, and the dedicated efforts of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, D.C., which played a key role in securing the outcome.
The Sri Lankan delegation that participated in the discussions with U.S. authorities comprised:
- Harshana Suriyapperuma – Secretary to the Treasury and Head of the Delegation
- Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe – Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka
- M. Wimalendraraja – Secretary to the Ministry of Trade
- Duminda Hulangamuwa – Chief Economic Adviser and Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka
- Mahinda Samarasinghe – Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States
The tariff reduction is expected to provide a boost to Sri Lanka’s export sector by improving the competitiveness of Sri Lankan products in the U.S. market while further strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe’s statement regarding this matter is provided below;
