By Sena Thoradeniya

Julie Chung continued in meeting with Sri Lankan politicians without interruption.

On 19 March 2025 she lured Dilith Jayaweera of Sarvajana Balaya, as a part of her cross-party outreach to hear perspectives on political and economic developments and seek way to continue strengthen US- Sri Lankan ties”.  It is worth noting that Chung refers to Dilith, merelyas Sarvajana Balaya MP, without acknowledging him as the leader of Sarvajana Balaya.

Mano Ganeshan (on 24 March), Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure (on 25 March), Bathiuddin (on 26 March), Chairman and General Secretary of UNP (on 27 March), Foreign Minister (on 7 April 2025; her second meeting with him within a fortnight), Jeevan Thondaman (on 7 April 2025), NPP General Secretary (in the first week of April), Sajith Premadasa (on 9 April 2025; her second meeting with him in 3 weeks) were the other politicians she met with during this period.

Chung’s recent meeting with the Foreign Minister (who was in casual attire, a rare sight of morphed Malimavuns; maybe because he was seated on a burning stove) took place on 7 April, soon after Trump imposed his new reciprocal tariffs. Chung posted that her meeting with the Minister was, on rebalancing Sri Lanka’s trading relationship with the US’’.  I emphasized the importance of reciprocal treatment for US exports. A fair, balanced trade relationship supports economic growth, create jobs and strengthens industries in both our countries.”

Thus, Chung had delivered a resounding slap to the entire Malima government. The honeyed words she spoke earlier when she met with Malima Ministers have now turned bitter with venom, adding sharp, stinging remarks.

On 21 March, meeting with the same Minister Chung spoke on shared priorities, Sri Lankan investment in the US, economic cooperation and maritime cooperation.”

Julie Chung met with more than 21 Malima Ministers, mostly inexperienced street demonstrators, platform speakers, 1988-1989 Gonibillas, trade union ransom money collectors and village-level tough guys who do not possess prior professional experience.

She gave lessons to them on thriving local economies, fostering economic growth and prosperity, shared goals, shared priorities, and Sri Lanka’s economic future.

On 22, April 2025 Chung addressed the AmchamLK Board and emphasized the need for Sri Lanka to reduce trade barriers & narrow its deficit with the US – key steps to unlock more opportunity for American business”.

She does not say anything about economic policies, international relations and market dynamics in doing so. This sounds more like political rhetoric than a substantive plan. It’s easy to throw around phrases like reducing trade barriers” and narrowing deficits”, but without clear actionable steps. This is merely wishful thinking seen like lack of acknowledgement of the complexities involved, a hollow statement without specific strategies to reduce trade barriers” and narrow its deficits”. Local industries may struggle even barriers are reduced.

Meeting with Malima Ministers and its bigwigs she tossed them all in a chaotic soup and now ask them to unlock more opportunity for American business”.

10. How Chung Interfered in Sri Lanka’s Economic Sphere

Chung met with business leaders, leaders of Chambers, climate change” leaders, economists and female” economists (whatever it means), cyber security experts and policy makers. She was passionately drawn to the Chairman of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce meeting him on several occasions whenever he changed roles under different Presidents.

Her other meetings were with small and medium scale dairy farmers, representatives of theNational Chamber of Exporters, Joint Apparel Association Forum and Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA), Business Forums (with Harsha de Silva and NGO women), Indian CEO Forum in Sri Lanka (to discuss how they are partnering with Sri Lankan organizations and encourage economic growth through investment” (this has nothing to do with her work as US Ambassador, something better left to Indian envoy),  Sri Lanka Strategic Trade Forum (supported by US), entrepreneurs and business leaders at GPTWSL (Great Place to Work ) and many more. She addressed the members of the Sri Lanka-USA Business Council at their AGM.

Opening of the RM Park’s Shell fuel station, speaking at Rotary Club joint meeting, participating in groundbreaking ceremonies, visiting a facility producing aviation cargo and inaugurating Indo-Pacific Business Forum were the other activities that completely consumed her time.

11. Interfering with Sri Lankan Politics, Policy Matters and Other Internal Affairs

Discussing with Jennifer Rosenbaum of Global Labor, Chung explored labor law reforms in Sri Lanka and innovative solutions to combat gender-based violence”. What right Chung has to explore the ways to reform Sri Lanka’s labour laws?

Despite her meetings with the Chairman and Executive Director of the Office ofthe Missing Persons (OMPSL) she also took the time to meet with families of the disappeared” and PTA detainees.

With civil society” men and women she made it a habit to talk about amending   legislation like the PTA, On-line Safety Bill and NGO Bill; with them she  influenced the new NPP government to incorporate the views of all stakeholders to ensure that inclusive dialogue is key to advancing democratic governance and protecting human rights”.

As an elderly traveler embarking on her pilgrimage in Sri Lanka, she added to her viaticum a load of anti-corruption slogans as a critical priority.

On the anniversary of Black July” on 24 July 2023, she attended a special exhibit” of an NGO sculptor, to see the powerful and moving stories expressed through art that reveal past wounds & hopes to create a future that is just for all Sri Lankans”. According to her message Chung seems to be fond of revealing past wounds, not healing them; the task of art she advocates, revealing- exposing the darker side which is full of pessimism, not the bright side and continue fanning flames of discord. Her hope to create a future that is just for all Sri Lankans” was only a façade.

This was the second time Chung met with this artist. Soon after the ousting of GR, Chung felicitated a group of visual artists along with this artist, who moved the Court of Appeal against GR’s candidature that he (GR) had not renounced his US citizenship. Foreign – funded visual artists played a major role at the Galle Face Protest site.

Human trafficking was a pet subject she spoke at various fora; she saw it as modern slavery”.She was obsessed to visit trafficking victims” in the North and East and among Malaiyaha” Tamils. She must have thought that the so-called trafficking was confined only to the Tamils.

12. Issuing Statements Interfering with the Internal Affairs

Chung issued various statements regarding internal affairs of the country in contravention of Geneva protocols. Statement issued on 8 January 2024 to mark the 11^th death anniversary of Lasantha Wickrematunga, criticizing the law enforcement operations (Yukthiya Operation” inaugurated to combat organized crime and drug trafficking (on 10/1/24), sharing the views expressed by the HRCSL and the Bar Association of Sri Lankaare some examples.

Soon after the Online Safety Billwas passed in the ParliamentChung issueda Statement on 25 January 2024 lamenting that the bill was passed without incorporating input from key stakeholders, including Civil Society and tech companies who say that this legislation threatens freedom of expression, innovation and privacy”. In addition to jeopardizing democratic values, vague and overly restrictive legislation can hinder investment and the development of a digital economy, undermining the economic growth that Sri Lanka needs. The US urges Sri Lanka to prioritize transparency and ensure any legislation does not stifle the voices of people”.

This was nothing more than threatening the government and fear mongering about investment, development of a digital economy and economic growth. The Statement was authoritative and carries the tone and tenor of a Statement issued by the US State Department.   

In a Statement issued on 11 March 2024 Chung said: We continue to monitor legislative developments in Sri Lanka that could challenge its progress on human rights, reconciliation and civic space.”  Referring to recent Core Group joint statement for the 55^th Session of the UNCHR, Chung said that the Online Safety Act could be used to criminalize a wide range of expression, suppress dissent and undermine Sri Lanka’s digital economy.” Further she opined that the Sri Lankan government brings forward other legislation with potentially serious implications for fundamental freedoms and civic space”. She advocates comprehensive consultation with stakeholders including civil society”.

This is none other than dictating Sri Lankan government how to conduct its activities.   

She did issue a statement in 2024 marking 15 years since the end of war, declaring she remains a steadfast partner including those who continue seeking justice, equal rights and access to opportunities”. 

She discussed economic recovery, debt restructuring and progress of IMF programme and ongoing reforms with the Governor of the Central Bank more than once; she welcomed debt restructuring between Sri Lanka and creditor nations at the Paris Forum 2024. With government Ministers and Governor of the Central Bank she discussed the progress towards implementation of the IMF programme. 

With US Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Kaproth she discussed with the then President Wickremasinghe, Ministers, government officials, think tanks”, financial sector leaders, MPs and advisors in the SJB.

Chung called for political solutions, Truth and Reconciliation. Meeting with the families of the disappeared” and former PTA detainees just a few days before Mullivakkal, Chung said, even now Sri Lankan citizens face continued indignation. All families have the right to memorialize loved ones. Their stories are poignant reminders of the need for a peaceful, durable political solution”.

She met with the members of the International Secretariat for the Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM), to discuss their outreach and reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka”.   

With all these meetings and dialogues, it is discernible that Chung had acted as the de facto President of Sri Lanka.

Commemorating International Day of the Enforced Disappearances Chung did not forget to add that Sri Lanka’s affected deserve answers and accountability”.

She welcomed the OHCHR engagement joining with Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, UK and US, urging Sri Lanka to build a conducive environment for meaningful reconciliation and transitional justice”, urging the Sri Lankan government to re-engage with the HR Council process”.   

13. Elections

Chung took a keen interest in Sri Lankan elections concluded last year; with Donald Lu, State Assistant Secretary she met with many political leaders across the political spectrum to learn about the (upcoming) Sri Lankan elections, their perspectives on Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and their vision for the nation’s path forward”. Sajith, Harsha, GL, Eran, Niroshan and Kavinda of SJB and Jayatissa and Herath of NPP were the politicians met by them.

In May 2024 she met with the Election Commission to hear the plans for elections and upholding a transparent process”, importance of voting in free and fair elections. She should be taught that the Sri Lankan people were enjoying universal suffrage since 1931.

On 26 July Chung welcomed the Election Commission announcement of September 21 Presidential Election.

On 29 August 2024 Chung met with the EUEOM Sri Lanka 24 Chief Observer,Deputy Chief Observer and EU Ambassador to discuss the vital role of free and fair elections in Sri Lanka”. It should be noted that Chung met with these observers even before their press briefing.  Again, she had played the role of a de facto President.

She used her statement issued on the International Day of Democracy in 2024 to preach us that no process is more essential to Sri Lanka’s democracy than free and fair elections”.  

14. Touring Provinces and Visiting Religious Places

As an ancient ruler of Sri Lanka, Chung toured Southern Province, NorthernProvince, Central Province, Uva and the Eastern Provinceseveral times like an ancientSinhala King who visited ancient Dissavanis and Ratas, popularly known in the ancient times as Rata Meda Yaama”.  The most noteworthy part of her provincial visits was visiting religious places (Dalada Maligawa, Sri Maha Bodhiya, Thuparamaya, Sri Pada, Mihintale, Kelani Vihare, Nagadipa, Kataragama, Kirinda, Madhu shrine, Christ Church Warleigh, Adhisham, Seetha Amman Kovil, Koneshwaram, Naguleshwaram Kovil, Thirukeeswaran Kovil and mosques in the city and provinces.

On 23 August 2023Chung attended the Pooja Day at Thirukeeswaran Hindu Temple, Mannar wearing a saffron coloured cloth holding a tray of flowers. Rewriting the history of Sri Lanka, she wrote that Thirukeeswaran Hindu Temple has a 2500-year tradition and history. We debunked this myth in our article Julie Chung re-writes history of Mannar” posted on August 26, 2023.

In August 2023Chung had a hectic  programme in Jaffna meeting with families of the disappeared , female officers of the CBSL Regional Office in Kilinochchi, woman – majority workforce producing and packaging curry and chillie powder, people engaged in USAID-funded sea weed cultivation, North Central Naval Commander (discussed maritime security in the area” ), Bishop of Mannar and priests at the Madhu shrine.

On 24, August 2023 she met with brave families of the disappeared to hear their continued quest for answers, transparency and accountability in the healing and reconciliation process.”  No doubt she refers to perished armed LTTE cadres. How can their families become brave”?  Do the disappeared” also mean thousands of Tamils who left the shores under questionable operations -people smuggling-trafficking who add to the numbers alleged to have been killed by the Sri Lankan security forces? 

With her long experience in dealing with the disappeared”, rather her pastime digging the past and opening old wounds,  can Chung name these people, names of the people dead or disappeared, people killed by the LTTE including Tamils, the number of Tamils who fled to Western countries  adopting new identities?   

On 23 August 2023, she addressed Jaffna College First leadership Training Programme.

Again in 2024 she visited Jaffna. She paid visits to Green Memorial Hospital, founded by an American Missionary, religious places such as Nagadeepa, site for Sri Lanka’s diverse faith” as she perceives it, Palmyrah Research Institute, Northern Chamber of Information Technology and met with fishermen in Delft.

In July 2024 Chung embarked on a tour across the Uva Province. She met with farmers and staff at CAP Ceylon (which exports organic certified products), Nelna Agri mango producers, Uva civil society and religious leaders, MalaiyahaTamils, Women’s Campaign Academy, Youth Civi League in Badulla and small business owners. She visited Adisham Hall at St. Benedict’s Monastery, Lipton’s Seat and a water project.

She toured Southern Province again in August 2024; opening Matara American corner; meeting with Jez Looks Batik artist, representatives of civil society” including an organization carrying an esoteric name, Women Are Well”, Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce and other NGOs and BOI officials at Mirijjawila.  

She visited Kirinda Viharaya, sounded the bell, all against Buddhist traditions and customs; went to Kataragama, declared it a sacred place for Buddhists, Hindus and the Veddah Community”.

There is no justification or no grounds for her to include the Veddah Community in a discussion on Kataragama which is totally unnecessary, as both these communities visit Kataragama without any labels or distinctions attached. This is yet another method of causing divisions on her part.

She was seen worshipping at a Buddhist temple and a Hindu shrine, visiting a mosque wearing a hijab.

Chung toured NWP in September 2024: Visited Anaivilundawa Ramsay Sanctuaryto see how US partnership with the Wild Life and Nature Protection Society supports local conservation efforts in the mangrove forests and dairy farmers in Chilaw.

She toured North again in October 2024 visiting Jaffna,Mannar and Vauniya districts; she started her day from Keerimalai Naguleshwaran kovil, lighting an oil lamp and posing for a photograph with the priest. Met with the new NPP Governor and Bishop Gnanapragasam (as usual discussed justice and reconciliation”), sex workers (says, sex workers were deeply impacted by the conflict”. How? Lack of customers?); she attended an exhibition Women’s Histories of Sex Workers” exhibited in Jaffna (again tells about truth, justice and human rights”, peace and security”, challenges faced by conflict victims and advancing justice.”

It is apparent that Chung cannot meet even sex workers without uttering truth, justice and human rights”, peace and security” and conflict victims”. She was not concerned about how women chose to be sex workers, its impact to their families and children. 

She met with Jaffna Access Micro Scholarship Students”, (conducting a class) and Tamil political leadersin the North (discussing the need for accountability, mechanism that have the trust of victim communities”.

Wherever she visits she fans the flames of discord covering the flames with hackneyed words like justice and reconciliation”, truth, human rights”, peace and security”, conflict victims”, this time coining a phrase, victim communities”.

But when she visited the Central Province and Uva Province she did not realize that the Kandyan Sinhalayas   also belong to her category of people, victim communities”. 

Chung visited Aham” Mental Health and Psychological Lab at the Jaffna University funded by USAID, NatureWins and a USAID -fundedwoman-owned cashew processing center; met with families of the disappeared” (all families deserve to know the fate of their loved ones”. She willfully forgets that many of the so-called disappeared” live in Western countries), MAGSaversLives demining groups; declared open the newUSAID-aidedIntegrated Audio-Visual Unit at the Harmony Centre University of Vauniya.

Visiting North Central Province in January 2025 Chung met with farmers and officials of the Department of Agriculture. She says that she shared ideas with the farmers over locally grown cassava and belli flower herbal tea, carrying a pol katta (coconut shell cup).

15. Meeting with Religious Dignitaries

Chung met with Malwatte and Asgiriya Manayakas, Mihintale Nayaka Himi , Atamasthana Nayaka Himi , Bhante Piyaratna,(a Buddhist Chaplain of Sri Lankan origin working with veterans in the US Department of Defense, (see: A Sri Lankan Buddhist Priest as a Chaplain in US Defence Establishment” posted on January 12, 2024), Bishop of Mannar and other Catholic and Christain priests, Hindu and Muslim religious leaders. She climbed Sri Pada (on January 26, 2024), Mihintale (several times), Kelani Vihare (with Pathfinder Foundation celebrating Olcott’s American Roots in Buddhist Revival”); participated in the reopening of the restored King’s Palace in Kandy and restoration of Thuparama Image House in Polonnaruwa utilizing Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) respectively.

Chung celebrated Avurudu cooking kevum, Wesak, making pahan kudus and was seen with a group of Tamil girls wearing a pottu” (colored dot on the forehead placed by Hindus); in mosques she wears a hijab (but supports  Iranian women’s struggle against wearing hijab; in Buddhist temples she ties a pirith noola”.

Truly a person of diverse religious beliefs!

Chung was mesmerized trekking along US-funded Pekoe Trail.

In June 2024,Chung who was in Washington to attendthe Annual StateDepartment Global Chiefs of Mission Conference, did not forget to visit StatenIsland Hindu Temple, a Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara tying a pirith noola, Tamil community in  Staten Island (to hear their views on justice, accountability and reconciliation” ; wherever she goes she fans flames of division in the name of justice, accountability and reconciliation”), Sri Lankan small business owners, eating lump rice,  roti and lunu miris. 

16. With Women

Chung met with the representatives of Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries, members of the Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE), (promoting peace and human rights” (an arm of the USAID-funded National Peace Council); US – funded women entrepreneurs; congratulated Women in Motion Showcase, those underwent an animation and game development course; in January 2025 she participated in Prathibabisheka Women Entrepreneurs Awards”; discussed menstrual health with women; attended panel discussions on Closing the Gender Gap” etc.

17. With Youth

Chung was drawn to the world of youth with her youthful attire, youthful gestures and youthful dreams; her spirits danced where young people thronged, yearning to join their song and merrymaking.

Meeting with Youth Forum members, Young Leaders (in her words changemakers), Business English students, students from Colombo schools as a part of CyberSecurity Awareness Month, teachers and students and providers in connection with a US funded Child Nutrition Programme, youth and students atthe Access English Intensive Camp  at Kandy, NextGen leaders, bringing together diverse young politicians and political activists from all of Sri Lankan political parties;  attending NYSC Youth Dialogue 2004; launching CyberHero, a mobile game app; visiting American Corners in Kandy, Matara and elsewhere; addressing the participants of American Spaces South Asian Youth Network Development Workshop. 

With US Global Youth Special Envoy Abby Finkenauer, she met with youth leaders of Young South Asian Leaders Initiative (YSALI); all these initiatives are US-funded, recruited and trained to serve US interests; she celebrated International Youth Day with a group of Sri Lankan youth.  

Attending the Royal-Thomian in March 2024, she danced with Harsha de Silva to the tunes of papara bands.

She attended the Annual National Sea and Air Farers Sunday Service at St. Peter’s Church Fort with Navy personnel.  

18. Art and Literary Workers

Having a dialogue with art and literary workers, she met with Gratian Prize winners, novelists, creative artists, young artists, film makers and young journalists on many occasions.

19. Malaiyaha Tamils

Another contentious area Chung had overstepped was the affairs of the so -called Malaiyaha Tamils”. She had brazenly encroached upon one community in the Central Highlands sparking significant controversy. This was audacious and caused widespread suspicion and outrage among Kandyan Sinhalayas. This was nothing more than sowing confusion and disrupting the harmony that unsettled and perplexed them. 

In many of our writings we have discussed how Chung was engaged in a destabilization programme in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, Udarata, from the day she came to Sri Lanka by fostering the so-called Malaiyaha Tamil” community. 

Proposed establishment of a Non-territorial Community Council” for hill country Tamils or Malayahah Thamilar” of Malai Aham” (Hill Country Territory) with the blessings of Western powers, Indians and NGO coterie, will create confusion and a feeling of betrayal among the Upcountry Sinhala people living from time immemorial in Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Moneragala, Kegalle and Ratnapura districts, encompassing four provinces.

Politicians representing Tamils of Indian origin, (Indian indentured labour brought by British colonialists to work in British-owned coffee, tea and rubber plantations), clamor that they are a unique ethnic group, that they are one of the national communities” in Sri Lanka and be treated along with Sinhala, North and East Tamils and Muslims. Thus, a breeding ground for Prabhakaran type ghosts is being created in the Hill country.  

True to her mission Chung on June 5, 2023 met with Hill Country families” to hear directly about the economic and political obstacles they face and their aspirations”. She twittered many of them have ties to the region going back to 200 years”.

This is tantamount to sowing seeds of separation among plantation Tamils and propagating misbeliefs of an imagined Traditional Homeland”.

On May 19, 2023 the then USAID Deputy Mission Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Debra Mosel addressed Hill Country Tamils” to celebrate 200 years of their presence in Sri Lanka. She said: Full citizenship however does not automatically translate into meaningful citizenship”, adding that the Hill Country Tamils” are not enjoying the same benefits enjoyed by the rest of the society. The new generation asks not sympathy but for dignity and equality. The United States support these aspirations and look forward to them becoming reality”.

We should not be surprised if the youth of Malai Aham” begin an armed struggle on these lines. 

Have Mosel and Chung studied how the British colonialists grabbed land owned by the Kandyan peasantry to open up coffee and tea plantations in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and the effects of Grain Tax imposed by the British rulers on paddy cultivators in the Central Highlands, how the real inheritors of the Central Highlands being impoverished, a cursed inheritance and oppressive burden they carry for more than two centuries?

Chung was delighted at the completion of the 2-week walk from Talaimannar to Matale commemorating the arrival of Indian indentured labour (in her words Malaiyaha Tamils”). Sadly, she said that they arrived in Sri Lanka’s hill country plantations 200 years ago”. She should be given a lesson in the history of Sri Lanka’s plantations because at the time of their arrival there were no entities that can be called plantations.

Visiting trafficking victims” in the North and East and Malaiyaha Tamils she created the impression that there are trafficking victims” in the plantations. 

Chung met with MP Mano Ganeshanand other civil society” members on 28 June 2024, to exchange ideas and discuss US support for Maliayaha Tamil community.” Among the support provided by the US were land and housing rights, English education and skills development for journalists.

Again, Chung met with Mano Ganeshan in January 2025 (always a pleasure to speak with Mano Ganeshan”); from him she wanted to hear political and economic priorities for the year ahead” (as political and economic priorities” change year to year!). She did not forget to discuss her pet project advocating and supporting Malaiyaha Tamil community in Sri Lanka”. This shows that Chung was also behind land fragmentation in the plantation areas. 

Meeting with the Governor of the Uva Province in July 2024, she discussed needs of vulnerable communities like the Malaiyaha Tamils” and met with leaders of Malaiyaha Tamils.

On 10, December 2024 Chung met with a group of Malaiyaha Tamils near Kandy; in her conversation with them she had directly interfered with the internal affairs of Sri Lanka, in contravention of all diplomatic protocols and conventions. She said: Our conversation touched on their hopes for the new government now featuring the first woman elected Malaiyaha Tamil parliamentarian and the crucial role of USAID”;strengthening and advancing inclusion”, challenges they face”, testament of resilience” and the power of partnership” were her words drenched in honey-like sweetness!

With Chung’s blessings, Indian-assisted development programmes, fragmentation of estate land and NPP government’s collaboration with Modi, it is undeniable that the Central Highlands will transform into a Tamil enclave.

NEXT: PART III:  HOW SISTER JULIE CHUNG PROMOTED USAID AND LGBTIQ ACTIVITIES IN SRI LANKA