Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker met Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on December 11, 2025, in Colombo and expressed confidence in his leadership as the country undertakes recovery and rebuilding efforts.

During the meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, Hooker affirmed that the United States stands ready to provide any necessary support to aid Sri Lanka’s recovery. She also conveyed her condolences to the families of the victims of the recent disaster and noted her appreciation for being able to extend assistance during this challenging period, according to a statement from the President’s Office.

President Dissanayake expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by President Donald Trump and his administration, including the deployment of relief teams to support the nation. He also acknowledged the continued support extended by friendly nations around the world, including the United States.

“President Dissanayake highlighted that Sri Lanka encountered this disaster while the nation’s economy was on the path to stabilization and economic indicators were showing improvement. He emphasized the need for future focus on enhancing the livelihoods of those affected and on the long-term development of infrastructure facilities,” the statement added.

Addressing the scale of damage, the President noted that restoring key infrastructure, including highways and railways, as well as vital income sources such as agriculture, livestock and small to medium-sized enterprises, will take time due to the extensive impact of floods and landslides. He added that Sri Lanka looks forward to the support of all friendly nations during the recovery phase.

The Under Secretary stated that the United States has turned its attention to restarting discussions on US tariffs and expressed support for boosting tourism between the two countries, as well as strengthening trade and maritime operations. She further underscored U.S. backing for Sri Lanka’s initiatives to combat drug-related challenges.

The President noted that the number of American tourists visiting Sri Lanka has increased recently and that the country expects this trend to continue. He reiterated his appreciation for U.S. assistance in helping the Sri Lankan people navigate the current crisis and improve their quality of life.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labor and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and members of the U.S. diplomatic mission, including U.S. Ambassador Julie Chang.

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