US funding cut to WHO: UNP leader writes to US President requesting to reconsider the decision

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Leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremesinghe wrote to US President Donald Trump urging him to reconsider his decision to cut US funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).

“I understand that the American taxpayers provide $ 400-500 million in funding to the WHO each year. Your decision to place on hold all funding to the WHO while its mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic is investigated will have a colossal and detrimental impact on the programs in countries like Sri Lanka which are funded by the WHO,” the UNP leader said in the letter.

Former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe noted that the COVID-19 global pandemic has had a disastrous impact on local economies and crippled civilian life in all countries in ways that are unprecedented and perhaps even ambiguous at present. "Consequently, it is vital that the WHO continues its program of action at this juncture given the lack of any other multilateral institution to provide global leadership to international health and safety issues in the coming months,"

“In view of the grim impact that the COVID-19 has created, I wish to request you to reconsider the decision on humanitarian grounds and restore US funding to the WHO, pending investigation, and thereafter determine the appropriate course of action,” he said.

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