US extends additional US $ 19mn to support SL growth agenda

Sri Lanka will receive fresh funding to support its development agenda with the United States committing to provide additional finances amounting to over US $ 19 million.
The commitment was announced at a ceremony at the Sri Lanka Finance Ministry yesterday. 
The US $ 19.23 million (Rs.6.2 billion) is obligated through the Development Objective Grant Agreement between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and government of Sri Lanka. 
This development assistance will support economic growth and democratic governance activities and demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Unites States to its partnership with Sri Lanka and in building lasting people-to-people ties, said the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, in a statement to the media. 

The signing was commemorated at a ceremony with Mission Director Gabriel Grau and Finance Ministry Treasury Secretary K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana. 
“This investment demonstrates the United States’ ongoing commitment to our partnership with Sri Lanka and our steadfast support to the people of this stunning, opportunity-filled country, as USAID Administrator Samantha Power and President Wickremesinghe discussed in New York,” said Grau. 
Siriwardana noted that Sri Lanka would utilise the funds to work with the government to improve economic growth and democratic governance and advocate for vulnerable populations.
“The people of Sri Lanka appreciate the continued close collaboration and the very cordial partnership and support extended by the Government of the United States of America to Sri Lanka,” said Siriwardana. 
“This grant will reinforce the government’s efforts to strengthen a democratic, prosperous and resilient Sri Lanka,” he added.
The United States has provided more than US $ 2 billion (nearly Rs.720 billion) in assistance to Sri Lanka since 1956.