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Samantha meets cross sections of people to assess Lankan crisis
View(s):Economic stability and food security in Sri Lanka are among a wide range of topics being discussed by the visiting United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator, Samantha Power.
Ms Power opened the two-day official visit to Sri Lanka yesterday morning and is scheduled to meet political party leaders to learn their views on how to address the economic and political crises in Sri Lanka.
She is scheduled to meet people from all walks of life, from senior government officials and private sector employees to farmers, to discuss how the economic crisis is affecting the people and how the US can best support them as they rebuild and recover.
“The Administrator will also reinforce USAID’s support for inclusive development that promotes human rights, democracy, and good governance,” the US aid agency said, while stressing that her visit would underscore the US’ commitment to addressing the urgent and intermediate needs facing Sri Lankans and to supporting a return to stability.
Hours after she arrived, in an arranged meeting, she met representatives of the farming community in Ja- Ela yesterday.
Ms Power heard from farmers firsthand about the previous government’s ill-thought-of policy of banning chemical fertilisers in April last year and pushing them into poverty and how they plan to overcome present challenges.
During her trip, Ms Power will highlight the role of the US in ensuring support for Sri Lankans and discuss issues related to food security, fuel and essential item shortages, economic stability, and the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the region. “She will reiterate the United States’ steadfast support for a free and open Indo-Pacific region that is connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure,” the US agency said.
This would be the second visit to Sri Lanka by Ms Power. She last visited Sri Lanka in her capacity as Permanent Representative of the US to the UN shortly after the Yahapalana government took office in 2015.
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