Kerry proposes 20% cut in US aid to SL

15 April 2013 06:04 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 73 Bookmark

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US Secretary of State John Kerry has proposed a 20 per cent cut in the American aid to Colombo, a move reflecting the unease in their ties over issues related to human rights, reconstruction and political integration in Sri Lanka after the end of the civil war.

It is believed to be the highest drop for any South Asian country in Kerry's budgetary proposals which was sent to the Congress last week for its approval. In actual term, Kerry has proposed a USD 11 million in aid to Sri Lanka, which, according to a senior State Department official, is a "drop of 20 per cent" from the actual spending in the 2012 fiscal.

"This reflects both the fact that we had difficult time in programming a lot of our money in Sri Lanka. We tried to do a lot in the North to help the IDPs and get back to their normal life and support reconstruction efforts there. But in several cases we had programmes that we were trying to support, to which the government – the military got quite involved in them and so we were not able to pursue those programs," a senior State Department official said.

"So we made a decision that Sri Lanka as a middle income country, and in a country where we are having difficulty in programming, that is a place where we should probably cut that have a lot of own resources," the official told requesting anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the press.

While the actual US development assistance to Sri Lanka in 2012 was USD 8 million, Kerry has proposed about USD 6 million for 2014. Kerry has proposed similar amount of development assistance to Bangladesh from USD 81.6 million in 2012 to USD 80.9 million in 2014.

Kerry has proposed substantial increase in US aid to Maldives - Sri Lanka's neighbour. Majority of the US fund to Sri Lanka would go into key projects related to judicial reform and increasing Maldives counter-terrorism efforts. "India and the US are working closely on Maldives," the official said. (PTI)

Comments - 73

kiwi Monday, 15 April 2013 11:36 AM

@ella Malli you might shave your head off in shame in front of a white but majority of Sri Lankans have their pride and will maintain that.I remember even from ealry 80's our own sri lankans say country has gone to dogs but SL still exist and people who have said that now are trying to get SL Citizenship as they have lost their jobs and they have gone to dogs in foreign countries and those countries dont even have lemon puff can only get in SL.

28 10

Truth Hurts Monday, 15 April 2013 11:29 AM

MR KERRY, CARRY ON WITH YOUR PLAN, WE HAVE CHINA TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. AFTER ALL, YOU TOO OWE THEM IN TRILLIONS!

14 17

Murunga Monday, 15 April 2013 11:26 AM

If GOSL is seeking freebees USAID is a good way to do development. When govt moves in to suck USAID for their pet projects to claim nation building with USAID money, US have a say how it should be spent. Hope all aid will stop.

7 10

Truth Monday, 15 April 2013 11:17 AM

Understand th facts before making a statement. US sanctions have a far reaching effect than sanctions imposed by other countries/UN.

16 88

Jay Monday, 15 April 2013 11:13 AM

Any comment from uncle GL Peris. Watch, he will come out with a nice story and the people in Srilanka will believe him.

Pretty sad situtation.
Beautiful country.
Giving garland in Monkeys hand.

5 19

Divul Gahey Monday, 15 April 2013 11:12 AM

Thank god. you crap guys will Aid us now & ruin our blood soon, better to stop your AIDS by 100%. Because, those money doesn't serve the public.

When we will have shortage, then we will find a way to solve it with our own assets, rather than paying back these AIDS based on your ruining policies

11 15

bhumi Monday, 15 April 2013 11:10 AM

Who cares about US$6 M which is peanuts compared to what other countries give us. Keep it for yourself.

22 12

Cindy Montrose Monday, 15 April 2013 11:09 AM

No point in giving too much aid to Sri lanka as the monies go to political pockets.

5 25

Mushy Monday, 15 April 2013 11:07 AM

Highly anticipated

3 16

Avindra_Doha Monday, 15 April 2013 10:53 AM

The simple truth is that those aids promised by US and IMF would rarely come or come with many conditions attached to it. No one seems to have noticed a similar cut for Bangladesh USD 81.6 million in 2012 to USD 80.9 million in 2014, were there any so called HR issues in Bangladesh? then why is this cut from them as well. The truth is that US need funds to manage their own affairs rather than helping others.

13 22

S Kumarihami Monday, 15 April 2013 10:51 AM

You sounds like a real regime Abdul.
You dont even know what UN sactions and US aid policies. US can stop 100% but they think about the SL people first before doing something. Hats off to US for that.

19 56

Vic Monday, 15 April 2013 10:48 AM

This is just a starter, more to come.

13 25

thusahra Monday, 15 April 2013 10:47 AM

he he.... $ 8 million . u can cut the whole package who cares about this $ 8 million

25 16

Lalith Monday, 15 April 2013 10:41 AM

The loser should keep the rest of the 80% and leave us alone !

26 15

Real Citizen Monday, 15 April 2013 10:38 AM

55% of our textile exports goes to EU and US. In the process of time, we should be ready to face sanctions from US and European bloc. Governors of this country should find alternative markets for our exports with immediate effects, without talking bull-shits. The other thing is, without depending on merely apparel sector, we have to diversify our exports into areas like pharmaceutical, auto-mobile, electronics and Nano-Tec etc. For this process, it takes time. We have most prudent & versatile man power in this island. Starting with a small step is count a lot, rather than just talking nonsense and doing nothing...

6 35

Ajith L Wednesday, 17 April 2013 08:01 AM

If u don't have money say so......
We understand that u run with a rim without a tire!!!!
Now look at your own backyard security as u need that badly.
We can advise u how to deal with Terrorism..

0 0

Nims Tuesday, 16 April 2013 01:23 PM

The truth is - US is running on its spare wheel. If not for China they have no spare wheel too.

2 1

kali Tuesday, 16 April 2013 11:24 AM

More to follow

0 0

nicky karunarathnara Tuesday, 16 April 2013 05:36 AM

What a bloody tuppence they give to this country after all the damage done by their pet terrorist LTTE. While keeping the second in command of LTTE Rudrakumaran as US citizen - is that enough? I think our housemaids in middle east can cover that lost in a single day. So lets reject that puny sum too and ask them to give that to their Boston bomb victims yearly please. Good charity.

5 2

Amila. G Tuesday, 16 April 2013 04:30 AM

We are in a mess. Now we will be in a bigger mess . Sorry the poor.

2 5

Kit udugama Monday, 15 April 2013 09:30 PM

We can import more Heinz soup,

1 2

amude Tuesday, 16 April 2013 12:00 AM

Two tongued senator . Has forgotten the interest in our energy rates

4 1

LBJ Monday, 15 April 2013 01:53 PM

Get your damn head examined. You think the Chinese and Russia will buy garments to full fill the vast trade imbalance after US sanctions?

14 72

sumith Monday, 15 April 2013 10:40 AM

Shan ...thama dopeda?

11 34

Grace Monday, 15 April 2013 12:49 PM

If the US and the EU stop helping us we will go back to the stone age. This is what some people with empty pride expect.

14 37

Jayantha Monday, 15 April 2013 12:24 PM

Stupid politicians will destroy the Country. Those political thief's will not suffer. But We will.

7 30

sumith Monday, 15 April 2013 12:20 PM

Pride? What pride are you talking about...people are leaving by the boat load..either becasue they are racially abused or becasue they can't sustain the current cost of living...you say pride? If you are celebrating avurudu like the president and his family or you are one of their henchmen yes....you might have pride..otherwise what pride in this FAILED STATE?

9 29

R. Wijewira Monday, 15 April 2013 12:13 PM

Sorry my friend. As of now, most of the garment factories who lost their market in Europe are also depending on USA to buy their products. Any sanction by US can destroy the country and inflict thousands of job losses in the Garment trade alone.

14 91

sss Monday, 15 April 2013 12:00 PM

Mr. Kerry , SL in NOT a middle income country. It is a political fairy tale. Madam ambassador should be concerned about SL government sending women as house maids where they face lot of abuses

12 10

iluvsl Monday, 15 April 2013 11:56 AM

If they hear the english version of wimals speeches they might cut off all aid!

6 28

Milinda Monday, 15 April 2013 11:50 AM

Less aid from U.S.A. means lee interference in Sri Lanka. All these years U.S.A. funds came to Sri lanka for projects to destabilize this nation and create division in this country. Is uncle Sam's advise genuine ? Their bogus intelligence units have given wrong information resulting in destabilization of developing nations. See what has happened in Pakistan, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, Egypt, Libya,Mali,Somalia, Sudan, All these countries is in a mess due to D ropes given by U.S.A..Their Vision for developing countries is to create war situations in these nations and sell arms indirectly through third parties ( N.G.O.s & Illicit Arms dealers) and make money while destabilizing developing countries & make them poorer.

15 26

kumara Monday, 15 April 2013 06:36 AM

Definitely we can't exist without aid from the West. But Cuba, Venezuela and Iran don't depend on them ( our friends??). Gov of SL if you want to show your guts don't accept any $$$ from USA.Lol...

20 50

Concerned Citizen Monday, 15 April 2013 07:10 AM

Oya enne, baduma thamai

9 32

Kurung gurung Monday, 15 April 2013 07:01 AM

Ela malli !!!!

8 54

francis Monday, 15 April 2013 06:59 AM

Beginning of the end , Well deserved.

25 61

weha Monday, 15 April 2013 07:00 AM

Well anyways the aid goes in to the pockets of our big wigs right?so no issues there i guess

7 56

Fusion Monday, 15 April 2013 06:48 AM

If locally produced items contain any US ingredients then sanctions will paralyze those as well. You will not be able to import any US goods including your Intel CPU other than the black-market. You will not be able to use US dollars for transactions. Nobody abroad will use SL rupees. Many in Sri Lanka are very ignorant towards the effects of US & EU sanctions. They are still living in 'Ravana' dreamland.

13 120

saman Monday, 15 April 2013 06:48 AM

Keep your $6M Uncle Sam and and stay out of SL!

74 35

sam Monday, 15 April 2013 06:44 AM

Ela Malli ela.. You got more likes to your comment. Can you suggest what we can do to make uncle sam happy?

92 38

Kamal Monday, 15 April 2013 06:44 AM

Now Rajapakse can Export more women to Middle East to get down Rolls Royce and Lamborginis to Raja Paula.

15 91

sam Monday, 15 April 2013 07:09 AM

Greeting first..now new year gift.

7 47

Ravi Monday, 15 April 2013 06:36 AM

Way to go. Re- Build Uthayan Newspaper in Jaffna out of that money.

48 24

Chris Monday, 15 April 2013 06:35 AM

Thanks to the king and the so called patriotic monks we will be another Ethiopia soon...

21 120

Nims Monday, 15 April 2013 06:35 AM

Common John, Take off 100%. Thereis no place for your dirty politics in our region any more. How is the 5 Star Democracy you brought to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Egypt, Syria etc. Shame on entire American politicians. Try to hang on to South Korea and Japan - the only two countries where you are acceptedin Asia

67 30

John Monday, 15 April 2013 06:35 AM

We wonder have had it coming for a long time and wonder what other changes will ineviably follow. Of course it will be business as usual with the fine figures Cabraal churns out......

7 48

Sampath Monday, 15 April 2013 06:28 AM

This is the absolute truth and very soon we can experience this.

22 149

OMG Monday, 15 April 2013 06:24 AM

Let us all thank BBS for keeping the communal fire burning.

13 137

Abdul Monday, 15 April 2013 06:16 AM

they cant put economic sanction to any country unless they get their votes from countries with VETO power. (china and russia) china has heavily invested in sri lanka.

219 79

Abdul Monday, 15 April 2013 06:13 AM

why are u cutting only 10% ? cut it 100%! we cant listen to every single word you say just because you give us money. its like you give money to a woman and ask her to strip. united states is losing its respect in the world these days because they try to poke their nose in other peoples matter. united states in getting vintage day by day compared to quick developing asian countries. no one will migrate to u.s in future.

126 43

shan Monday, 15 April 2013 07:58 AM

economic sanctions.. do you even undertand how the UN security council works? let alone the USa. they will fund armed terror here as they have in many other nations.

47 25

clueless Monday, 15 April 2013 10:37 AM

Do we need this $6M? approx rupees 36 per citizen?

31 23

2008ishan Monday, 15 April 2013 10:34 AM

They have cut aid for India and Bangladesh as well.For which they have given different reasons.For India they have told they want to have a strategic relationship but since 2010 aid for India has declined by 22%. Last cut is 16%. Our share of aid is going to Judicial reform and for India its health care(guess who needs aid more-India -Healthcare). They just want to have a overall favorable budget statement lol.Plus let them fix their internal issues,they need money more than us.

20 15

Punchi Putha Monday, 15 April 2013 08:34 AM

Kerry Packer we do not need your aid. We have a strong governemnt that has enough reserves in our kitty.

57 17

francis Monday, 15 April 2013 08:30 AM

US sanction is enough , they do not need Security Council approval man

22 166

Matalan Monday, 15 April 2013 08:18 AM

How how?

9 21

desreali Monday, 15 April 2013 08:11 AM

THE WRITING ON THE WALL.

9 24

KD Monday, 15 April 2013 08:13 AM

I agree. Key word, EDUCATED!

2 47

muni Monday, 15 April 2013 07:57 AM

at last it will affect us : petrol 10/=, flour 6/= , milk powder 10/= increase some tax, it will expect soon( usually happen after new year season)

4 45

Ela Malli Monday, 15 April 2013 06:10 AM

Soon there will be economic sanctions...wait and see...we can all eat lemon puff and protest or shave our heads and pretend like we are monks like some do

80 326

Ela Malli Monday, 15 April 2013 07:48 AM

Together we can survive? The issue is there is no togetherness bro...what are we going to survive on if there are sanction? Grass?...sorry I forgot we have lemon puff

12 46

wijebahu Monday, 15 April 2013 07:44 AM

8 million ? what a joke, some of our ministers have much more than this.

4 52

Kasun Monday, 15 April 2013 07:41 AM

Waiting for Mr Wimal's response...

8 38

Ela Malli Monday, 15 April 2013 07:40 AM

It's not about making uncle or aunty happy..its about treating all people in Sri Lanka equally...plain and simple.

29 146

Fusion Monday, 15 April 2013 07:33 AM

Incorrect! You are referring to UN sanctions. But, individual countries can. If US & EU impose sanctions, SL will lose billions dollars in direct trade ALONE!

29 225

AIA Monday, 15 April 2013 07:31 AM

If our politicians can cut down on corruption we can easily recover this shortfall or for that matter this entire amount US grants. very simple mathematics if we are committed.

7 34

R.Rohan Monday, 15 April 2013 07:15 AM

because of a few racist, the world should not look at Sri Lanka in an negative manner, the Sinhalese people are liked by other races, that's why they prefer to live among them. its time for the educated from all communities enter politics in Sri Lanka before its too late.

11 67

Swine Monday, 15 April 2013 07:12 AM

Ella Malli, nasty un patriotic hate inducing comment. Together we can survive without Uncle SAMs black money!

62 23

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