SLPP Discussed US Citizenship and Human Rights Issues of Party Members with Julie Chung, Not USAID (Managed by a Separate Office)
Posted on February 16th, 2025
Dilrook Kannangara
Namal Rajapaksa and an SLPP delegation met US ambassador Julie Chung they previously despised openly. Although they stated that USAID was discussed, it is common knowledge that USAID is handled by a separate office of the US government with a separate office in Sri Lanka. Julie Chung is not associated with USAID projects in Sri Lanka!
Instead, the SLPP delegation discussed US citizenship issues of some of their party members who lost it and have been unsuccessful in regaining it. They also highlighted corruption investigations carried out by the police which they alleged were a human rights violation.
Chung promised to look into the US citizenship issue with the rest of the US State Department but would not comment on ongoing anti-corruption investigations stating that they were internal affairs of Sri Lanka and reaffirmed US government commitment to good governance and reduced corruption.
USAID has provided $2 billion since 1956 to Sri Lanka. Most of it went to non-development related aid, post-tsunami and other wheat purchase subsidies from US suppliers and for political purposes. Only an insignificant amount of USAID was provided to development related initiatives.