Sri Lanka is to benefit from the United States’ $2.3 trillion spending legislation for the year 2021, subject to conditions.
Sri Lanka is one of 31 countries for which assistance may be obligated or expended under the new US law, but US assistance is conditional.
H.R. 133, an Act making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021 and approved by the Congress, states a part of the funding will be released if Sri Lanka assures its sovereignty against influence by China.
Under the Act, Sri Lanka is set to receive funds for democracy and economic development programs, particularly in areas recovering from ethnic and religious conflict.
The Act notes that some funds are available to the Central Government of Sri Lanka only if the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the Committee on Appropriations and is conditional to the Government taking several measures.
The Government is expected to take effective and consistent steps to respect and uphold the rights and freedoms of the people of Sri Lanka regardless of ethnicity and religious belief, including by investigating violations of human rights and holding perpetrators of such violations accountable.
Some key conditions focus on the assurance of increased transparency and accountability in governance, and promote reconciliation between ethnic and religious groups, particularly arising from past conflicts in Sri Lanka.
The US has also allocated funds to Sri Lanka for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, to protect human rights, locate and identify missing persons, and assist victims of torture and trauma; to promote justice, accountability, and reconciliation; to enhance maritime security and domain awareness; to promote fiscal transparency and sovereignty; and for International Military Education and Training.
It has allocated US$15 million for the refurbishing of a high endurance cutter and training for the navy and coast guard of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has already rejected a $480 million grant from the US which was to be provided under the Millennium Challenge Corporation, an agreement signed with the former regime. (NewsWire)