Former UNP Deputy Leader and MP Ravi Karunanayake says that Sri Lanka, despite facing new US-imposed import tariffs, can overcome the challenge and rebuild its economy by adopting a strategic, negotiation-based approach.
Speaking at the all-party conference convened by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss the tariff issue, Karunanayake emphasized the importance of dialogue with the United States.
He proposed that offering greater market access to American goods could be a viable solution to ease the trade tensions. “This is a matter that must be resolved through negotiation,” he said.
Karunanayake also advocated for a shift in how Sri Lanka conducts economic transactions with the US, suggesting large-scale deals—such as for LNG—could be sourced from the US rather than the Middle East. Such a move, he argued, would help narrow the trade deficit and align better with the current administration’s economic priorities.
Describing US President Donald Trump as someone who approaches economic policy with a pragmatic mindset, Karunanayake called for a fresh, flexible strategy in engaging with the United States on trade matters.
