Sri Lanka–United States relations

History

The United States enjoys cordial relations with Sri Lanka that are based, in large part, on shared democratic traditions. U.S. policy toward Sri Lanka is characterized by respect for its independence, sovereignty, and moderate nonaligned foreign policy; support for the country's unity, territorial integrity, and democratic institutions; and encouragement of its social and economic development. The United States is a strong supporter of ethnic reconciliation in Sri Lanka and the peace process that began in December 2001.In 2004 Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe was invited to the White House by President George W. Bush, this was the 1st time a Sri Lankan prime minister was officially invited to the White House.

U.S. assistance has totaled more than $2 billion since Sri Lanka's independence in 1948. Through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), it has contributed to Sri Lanka's economic growth with projects designed to reduce unemployment, improve housing, develop the Colombo Stock Exchange, modernize the judicial system, and improve competitiveness. At the June 2003 Tokyo Donors' Conference on Sri Lanka, the United States pledged $54 million, including $40.4 million of USAID funding. Following the 2004 tsunami, the United States provided $135 million in relief and reconstruction assistance. In addition, the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) operates a radio-transmitting station in Sri Lanka.

Under President Mahinda Rajapaksa, relations with the US were strained, but the ties improved after President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe came to power in 2015. In May 2015, US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Sri Lanka for an official tour. US Counsellor of the State Department Thomas Shannon visited Sri Lanka in December 2015 where the first US-Sri Lanka partnership dialogue to improve Governance, Development Cooperation and People-to-People ties; Economic Cooperation; Security Cooperation and International and Regional Affairs was announced. US offered assistance to help Sri Lanka become an economic and strategic hub in the Indian Ocean region.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials include:

The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka is located in Colombo, as are U.S. Agency for International Development offices and Public Affairs offices. IBB offices are located near Chilaw, 75 km north of Colombo.

Defence relations

The U.S. Armed Forces maintain a limited military-to-military relationship with the Sri Lanka defense establishment. United States and Sri Lanka started to enhance defence relations beyond the sale of military equipment, and training facilities were extended when Sri Lanka was in an internal battle with a secessionist movement Tamil Tigers. During Ranil Wickremesinghe's time as Prime Minister in 2002 agreements were signed with the US which allowed Sri Lanka get assistance in terms of military training, military technology, intelligence, special training in counter-terrorism and direct monetary assistance for military development. During the ceasefire period United States Pacific Command assessment team conducted a study from Sept 12-2002 to Oct 24, 2002 which made several recommendations to strengthen the capabilities of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force in case of the peace process failing. After studying the weakness of the military the study recommended the use of cluster bombs (Which weren't banned until 2010 when Cluster Munitions Convention came into effect)to destroy unarmoured area targets and recommended arming Kafirs and Mi-24 gunships with guided weapons in case of fighting close to enemy forces. The US also donated the SLNS Samudura during this time

It was reported that the US Navy Pacific Command provided intelligence for the Sri Lankan government during the civil war to hunt down LTTE crews and four ships. This was later confirmed by the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa whose government was hostile to the United States.