Colombo, July 18, 2025 — Sri Lankan officials are set to hold virtual negotiations with the United States Trade Agency to discuss the potential reduction of tariffs on Sri Lanka exports, the Ministry of Finance confirmed today.
The high-level discussion will be led by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and will include officials from other relevant departments. The decision to hold the talks online marks a shift from earlier plans to send a government delegation to the United States.
Previously, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath had announced that Sri Lankan representatives would travel to Washington on Friday, July 18, for face-to-face discussions. However, the plan has since been revised, and the talks will now be conducted remotely.
The virtual meeting is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka’s trade ties with the U.S., one of the island nation’s key export markets. The negotiations come at a crucial time as Sri Lanka continues to seek trade concessions to support its economic recovery and boost foreign exchange earnings through enhanced export access.
The inclusion of private sector perspectives is being seen as a strategic step to align trade policies with ground realities and enhance the country’s bargaining position in bilateral trade discussions.