President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to Convene All-Party Meeting on U.S. Tariffs

In response to the recent imposition of a 44% tariff by the United States on Sri Lankan exports, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has scheduled a meeting with all party leaders for tomorrow at the Presidential Secretariat. This initiative aims to address the significant impact of these tariffs on Sri Lanka's economy, particularly its export sector. ​

Minister Bimal Ratnayake highlighted that 12 opposition party leaders had formally requested this discussion with the President to deliberate on strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of the U.S. tariffs. ​

The U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump, recently announced a 44% tariff on Sri Lankan goods, citing it as a reciprocal measure to what it perceives as Sri Lanka's 88% trade barriers on American products. This development poses a substantial threat to Sri Lanka's export industry, which is a crucial component of the nation's economy. ​

In anticipation of the meeting, President Dissanayake has already appointed a high-level committee to analyze the potential economic repercussions of the U.S. tariffs and to propose strategic responses. This committee comprises key economic policymakers and industry experts, including the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank. ​

The upcoming all-party meeting underscores the government's commitment to a unified and strategic approach in addressing the challenges posed by the new U.S. tariffs.