USAID Administrator Ms. Samantha Power urged the Sri Lankan authorities to introduce new political reforms against corruption and governance along with efforts to uplift the country’s economy as a way out of the worst crisis in recent history.
She told reporters that such measures would increase international and domestic confidence in the government’s intentions.
“Aid alone will not end the miseries of this country,” Power said. “I emphasized to the President of Sri Lanka in my meeting that political reforms and political accountability must go hand in hand with economic reforms and economic accountability.”
International investor confidence will increase as the government tackles corruption and moves forward with long-awaited governance reforms, she said.
“The government is visibly following through on its commitment to bring about meaningful change as citizens see it, thereby increasing social support for the tough economic reforms ahead,” she said.