Sajith presses for continued US support in talks with visiting Congresswoman Houlahan

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has told a visiting United States congressional delegation that continued American support remains important to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and long-term development.

Premadasa held discussions with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat who sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and her delegation at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, with attention to economic cooperation, governance, education and regional stability.

The Opposition Leader expressed appreciation for the assistance the United States has extended to Sri Lanka in recent years, describing it as a reflection of a longstanding partnership between the two countries.

He singled out the apparel industry. According to Hiru News, Premadasa said the quota access granted during the administration of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa — his father — contributed significantly to expanding Sri Lanka’s garment sector, generating employment and lifting export earnings, and he thanked the United States for the role it played in that growth.

Houlahan led the delegation to Sri Lanka from July 27 to 30, the Daily FT reported. An Air Force veteran who serves on the House Armed Services Committee as Ranking Member of its Military Personnel Subcommittee, she also met Deputy Defence Minister Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekara and Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih during the visit.

The delegation’s stated aim was to strengthen the United States’ partnership with Sri Lanka and advance shared priorities for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific, with discussions covering efforts to counter transnational crime, deepen commercial ties and promote regional security cooperation.

Context

The visit is the latest in a run of senior American engagements with Colombo, following the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur in June. Sri Lanka’s apparel exports remain heavily dependent on the US market, giving trade access particular weight in bilateral talks.

Premadasa has used his position as Opposition Leader to press the government repeatedly on economic policy and on its handling of external negotiations, while maintaining his own contacts with visiting foreign delegations. He met the Indian Vice President during his visit to Sri Lanka earlier in the year for talks that also centred on trade ties.