News Today: Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath Discusses Reciprocal Tariffs with US Ambassador

In a significant diplomatic move, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, met with the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, yesterday to discuss the ongoing issues related to the reciprocal tariffs recently imposed on Sri Lanka by the United States. The meeting, which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delved into the potential impact of these new tariffs on Sri Lankan exports, a topic of great concern for the island nation.

During the meeting, Minister Herath emphasized the need to review these tariffs in order to maintain Sri Lanka’s ongoing relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Sri Lanka has been undergoing a difficult economic period, following the crisis of 2022. The government is keen on ensuring that the new tariffs do not create additional hurdles in the country’s economic recovery process, especially as it continues to engage in rescue efforts to revive the national economy.

The discussion was attended by key officials including Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja, Senior Diplomat and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dharshana M. Perera, and Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Europe and North America.

The Sri Lankan government has been actively working to stabilize its economy, and the recent meeting with Ambassador Chung highlighted the importance of international cooperation in overcoming the current economic challenges. Both sides have agreed to continue dialogue to ensure mutual understanding and collaboration on this critical issue.

The Minister’s call to review the tariffs comes as Sri Lanka looks to continue its IMF-backed recovery efforts, which are crucial for the country’s economic future.