Sri Lanka holds its own amid economic uncertainty (Malki Opatha – The Strategist)

In recent months, Colombo has faced two sharp blows from its Western partners. First was the surprise cut to USAID funding, amounting to approximately US$53 million. Then came a 44 percent tariff on apparel exports to the United States—Sri Lanka’s largest export market. Both moves came without warning and show the US not separating friends from foes, damaging the bilateral relationship and the US’s reputation. Sri Lanka is discovering that even its most trusted partners can act unpredictably when domestic politics take precedence. Its experience with opaque Chinese loans was one kind of risk, but the recent moves by its democratic partners are another.

Sri Lanka holds its own amid economic uncertainty | The Strategist