Sri Lanka–United States relations

File: H.S. Olcott-portrait-300.jpg was a major revivalist of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and he is still honored in the nation for his efforts.]]

File:Jayewardene presents elephant to Reagan.jpg of Sri Lanka presents a baby elephant to President Reagan and the American people in 1984. President Jayawardene was known for his pro-U.S. policies.]]

American people had been visiting the island since 1788, as spice traders and whalers. The American Mission was established in 1813 in Jaffna as part of the evangelising effort of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission. {{Cite journal |last=SHERMAN |first=RICHARD MOREY |title=American Contacts with Ceylon in the 19Th Century an Introduction to Their Impact |date=1990 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23731152 |journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka |volume=35 |pages=1–8 |jstor=23731152 |issn=1391-720X}}

Colonel Henry Steel Olcott was a pivotal American figure in the late 19th-century, known for helping with revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, alongside Helena Blavatsky and others. His endeavors included promoting Buddhist education, establishing schools, and advocating for the rights of Buddhists during colonial rule, laying the foundation for a lasting Buddhist revival movement. Even today, Olcott's contributions are revered in Sri Lanka, with figures like Samitha Seneviratne, Vice President of the Ananda College Old Boys Association, recognizing his significant impact on the nation's cultural heritage, religious landscape, and ethical values.{{Cite web |last=Jayawardana |first=Ruwini |title=Pioneering legend of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka |url=https://archives1.dailynews.lk/2020/11/27/features/234614/pioneering-legend-buddhist-education-sri-lanka |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Daily News |language=en}}

U.S. assistance has totalled more than $2 billion since Sri Lanka's independence in 1948.{{cite web|title=U.S. Relations With Sri Lanka|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5249.htm|access-date=22 July 2015|publisher=U.S. Department of State}} Through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), it has contributed to Sri Lanka's economic growth with projects designed to reduce unemployment, improve housing, develop the Colombo Stock Exchange, modernize the judicial system, and improve competitiveness.{{cite web|title=Humanitarian Assistance|url=http://www.usaid.gov/sri-lanka/humanitarian-assistance|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108180550/http://www.usaid.gov/sri-lanka/humanitarian-assistance|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 January 2014|access-date=22 July 2015|publisher=USAID}}

In addition, the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) operates a radio-transmitting station in Sri Lanka.

At the June 2003 Tokyo Donors' Conference on Sri Lanka, the United States pledged $54 million, including $40.4 million of USAID funding. Following the 2004 tsunami, the United States provided $135 million in relief and reconstruction assistance.{{cite web|last1=Gamage|first1=Daya|title=US Tsunami aid to Sri Lanka for 2005 tops $135 million|url=http://www.asiantribune.com/us-tsunami-aid-sri-lanka-2005-tops-135-million|access-date=22 July 2015|publisher=Asian Tribune}}

In 2004, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe was invited to the White House by President George W. Bush.{{Cite web|date=July 21, 2015|title=Sri Lankan PM meets Bush amid political crisis|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCY66iMEN8c&ab_channel=APArchive |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/UCY66iMEN8c |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=April 26, 2021|website=YouTube|publisher=Associated Press}}{{cbignore}}

In early 2005, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.{{Cite web|last=Colombo|first=Associated Press in|date=2015-05-02|title=John Kerry praises Sri Lanka on reforms and pledges renewed ties with US|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/02/john-kerry-praises-sri-lanka-democratic-reforms-pledges-ties-with-us|access-date=2022-01-28|website=Associated Press|language=en|via=The Guardian}}

File:Ratnasiri Wickremanayake with Obamas.jpg and Michelle Obama]]

In May 2015, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Sri Lanka for an official tour. Kerry said that the U.S. would send advisers who would provide "technical assistance" to the newly elected government of Maithripala Sirisena.{{Cite web|last=Colombo|first=Associated Press in|date=2015-05-02|title=John Kerry praises Sri Lanka on reforms and pledges renewed ties with US|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/02/john-kerry-praises-sri-lanka-democratic-reforms-pledges-ties-with-us|access-date=2022-01-28|website=Associated Press|language=en|via=The Guardian}}{{Cite news|last=Morello|first=Carol|date=2015-05-02|title=Kerry: U.S. will deepen ties with Sri Lanka|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/kerry-us-will-deepen-ties-with-sri-lanka/2015/05/02/e3ec3fac-ef4a-11e4-8050-839e9234b303_story.html|access-date=2022-01-18|issn=0190-8286}}

In December 2015, U.S. Counsellor of the State Department Thomas Shannon visited Sri Lanka. The first U.S.–Sri Lanka partnership dialogue to improve Governance, Development Cooperation and People-to-People ties; Economic Cooperation; Security Cooperation and International and Regional Affairs was announced. The U.S. offered assistance to help Sri Lanka become an economic and strategic hub in the Indian Ocean region.{{Cite web|last1=Wroughton|first1=Leslie|last2=Aneez|first2=Shihar|date=2 May 2015|title=Kerry visits Sri Lanka, pledges support for new government|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-srilanka-usa-kerry-idUSKBN0NN02V20150502|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503064003/https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/02/us-srilanka-usa-kerry-idUSKBN0NN02V20150502|archive-date=3 May 2015|access-date=26 April 2020|website=Reuters}}

In February 2020, the U.S. State Department banned Sri Lanka's Army Chief Shavendra Silva from entering the United States for alleged human rights violations during the final phase of the Sri Lankan Civil War. The Sri Lankan government opposed the sanctions, saying: "The Government of Sri Lanka takes strong objection to the imposition of travel restrictions on Lt. Gen. Silva and his immediate family members by the Government of the United States, based on independently unverified information".{{Cite news|date=2020-02-14|title=U.S. bans Sri Lankan army chief from entry, citing civil war abuses|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-sri-lanka-idUSKBN2081UR|access-date=2021-04-26}}

On 27 October 2020, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Sri Lanka as part of a tour through several Asian countries, which also included India, the Maldives, Indonesia and Vietnam. He denounced the Chinese Communist Party as a "predator" and said that the U.S. instead came as a "friend" after meeting with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Namita|date=2020-10-29|title=China is a 'predator', Pompeo tells Sri Lanka|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/mike-pompeo-china-predator-sri-lanka-trump-b1418930.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/mike-pompeo-china-predator-sri-lanka-trump-b1418930.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-26|website=The Independent|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Rej|first=Abhijnan|date=October 29, 2020|title=Mike Pompeo Visits Sri Lanka and the Maldives in a Bid to Win Friends and Influence People|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/mike-pompeo-visits-sri-lanka-and-the-maldives-in-a-bid-to-win-friends-and-influence-people/|access-date=2021-04-26|website=The Diplomat|language=en-US}} Gunawardena stated: "Sri Lanka is a neutral, non-aligned country committed to peace, as I mentioned earlier. On that principles, we hope to continue with our relations with the United States and other countries."

File:U.S. and Sri Lankan navy ships operate together. (26077070552).jpg and Sri Lankan Navy SLNS Sayura and SLNS Samudura ships operate together]]

The U.S. Armed Forces maintain a limited military-to-military relationship with the Sri Lanka defense establishment. United States and Sri Lanka started to enhance defence relations beyond the sale of military equipment, and training facilities were extended when Sri Lanka was in an internal battle with a secessionist movement Tamil Tigers.

During Ranil Wickremesinghe's time as Prime Minister in 2002, agreements were signed with the US which allowed Sri Lanka to get assistance in terms of military training, military technology, intelligence, special training in counter-terrorism, and direct monetary assistance for military development.{{cite news|title=Silence Breaks : Part Three - Ranil's Presidential Dream Crumbled Down - Natarajah Kuruparan|url=http://www.globaltamilnews.net/GTMNEditorial/tabid/71/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/78619/language/en-US/Silence-Breaks-Part-Three--Ranils-Presidential-Dream-Crumbled-Down--Natarajah-Kuruparan.aspx|access-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819064015/http://www.globaltamilnews.net/GTMNEditorial/tabid/71/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/78619/language/en-US/Silence-Breaks-Part-Three--Ranils-Presidential-Dream-Crumbled-Down--Natarajah-Kuruparan.aspx|archive-date=19 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

During the ceasefire period, United States Pacific Command assessment team conducted a study from 12 September 2002 to 24 October 2002, which made several recommendations to strengthen the capabilities of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force in case of the peace process failing. After studying the weakness of the military, the study recommended the use of cluster bombs (which weren't banned until 2010 when Cluster Munitions Convention came into effect) to destroy unarmoured area targets and arming Kfir's and Mi-24 gunships with guided weapons in case of fighting close to enemy forces.{{cite news|title=Use of cluster ammo not banned during war|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=148150}}{{cite news|title=US asked SL to use cluster bombs against Tigers|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=95664}} The US also donated the SLNS Samudura during this time. Sri Lanka also supported the US by permitting the use of its airspace and airports for flights associated under the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) extraordinary rendition operations including the transportation of Riduan Isamuddin through Colombo.{{Cite web|title=SL supported CIA in torture program-report|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/sl-supported-cia-in-torture-program-report/108-25559|access-date=2021-04-08|website=www.dailymirror.lk|language=English}}

It was reported that the US Navy Pacific Command provided intelligence to the Sri Lankan government during the civil war to hunt down LTTE crews and four ships. This was later confirmed by the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa whose government had poor relations with the United States.{{Cite web|title = U.S. wants 'enhanced' military relations with Sri Lanka {{!}} Asian Tribune|url = http://asiantribune.com/node/88220|website = asiantribune.com|access-date = 25 November 2015}}{{Cite web|title = India, US gave navy intelligence to fight the LTTE {{!}} Colombo Gazette|url = http://colombogazette.com/2015/12/04/india-us-gave-navy-intelligence-to-defeat-ltte/|access-date = 4 December 2015|date = 4 December 2015}}{{Cite news|url = http://www.island.lk/2009/11/11/news15.html|title = US helped destroy some LTTE 'floating arsenals'-President}}{{Cite news|url = http://srilankawatch.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=375&Itemid=2|title = US Navy's Pacific Command behind destruction of LTTE}}

Principal U.S. embassy officials include:{{Col-begin}}

• Ambassador{{spaced ndash}}Julie Chung{{cite web |url=http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html |title=Ambassador | Embassy of the United States Sri Lanka and the Maldives |access-date=2010-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613142750/http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html |archive-date=13 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }}
• Deputy Chief of Mission{{spaced ndash}}Andrew C. Mann
• Head of Political Section{{spaced ndash}}Michael DeTar
• Head of Economic/Commercial Section{{spaced ndash}}Robert Gabor
• Management Officer
• Consular Officer{{spaced ndash}}Joel Weigert
• Defense Attaché{{spaced ndash}}Lt. Col. Lawrence A. Smith III
• Director, USAID{{spaced ndash}}Rebecca Cohn
• Public Affairs Officer{{spaced ndash}}Jeff Anderson
• IBB Station Manager{{spaced ndash}}William Martin

{{col end}}

The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka is located in Colombo, as are the U.S. Agency for International Development offices and Public Affairs offices. IBB offices are located near Chilaw, 75 km north of Colombo.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Sri Lankan Embassy is located in Washington, D.C., and Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles

• Sri Lankan Americans
• Foreign relations of Sri Lanka
• Foreign relations of the United States
• United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka

{{reflist}}

{{StateDept|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5249.htm}}

• [https://history.state.gov/countries/sri-lanka History of Sri Lanka - U.S. relations]

{{Commons category|Relations of Sri Lanka and the United States}}

• [http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL31707.pdf Sri Lanka: Background and U.S. Relations]

{{Foreign relations of the United States |expanded=Bilateral}}

{{Foreign relations of the Sri Lanka}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sri Lanka - United States Relations}}

Category:Bilateral relations of the United States

United States