The US development assistance programme commits more than US$19 million to Sri Lanka.

The United States today announced the commitment of more than US $19 million in additional funds to further the development of Sri Lanka in a ceremony at the Sri Lanka Ministry of Finance.

The U.S. $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 the government of Sri Lanka, a statement issued by the US embassy in Colombo said.

This development assistance will support economic growth and democratic governance activities and demonstrate the ongoing U.S. commitment to its partnership with Sri Lanka and to building lasting people-to-people ties.

The signing was commemorated today in a ceremony with Mission Director Grau and K. M. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance Sri Lanka.

"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 Gabriel Grau, USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives Mission Director. "With these funds, we’ll continue to work with the government of Sri Lanka to improve economic growth and democratic governance and advocate for vulnerable populations."