On December 13, President Donald Trump’s chosen envoy for Sri Lanka addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, explaining that Washington will concentrate on securing the seas, advancing economic reforms, and countering China’s growing footprint in the Indian Ocean as the country seeks to emerge from its 2022 crisis and the hard‑hit cyclone it endured this year.
The nominee, Eric Meyer, noted Sri Lanka’s pivotal spot on major international shipping lanes, saying the nation is “a free and open Indo‑Pacific” hub where US naval forces and most of the world’s seaborne oil pass through. He said this makes Sri Lanka a key partner for America’s goal of a “free and open Indo‑Pacific” while confronting “adversarial influences, including China’s growing presence in the region.”
If confirmed, Meyer said his primary mission would be protecting the safety of U.S. citizens in Sri Lanka and highlighting Washington’s response to Cyclone Ditwah. He pointed out that the United States had already committed $2 million for urgent relief and deployed military airlift to help, calling the effort proof of “our strong and enduring partnership with Sri Lanka.”
Discussing the island’s road to recovery, Meyer painted a picture of a resilient nation poised to become a regional economic leader. He highlighted plans to double the Port of Colombo’s cargo capacity within a year, underscoring the strategic opportunities in ports, logistics and shipping. He also pledged to push Colombo to carry its IMF‑linked reforms forward, arguing that true economic sovereignty depends on national independence. “If they can stick to their reforms, this will also create opportunities for increased U.S. investment … which will again strengthen our ties with Sri Lanka,” he said.
When asked about China’s role in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, Committee Chair Jim Risch described the Hambantota port deal as a cautionary example worldwide: “What the Chinese did to Sri Lanka with their port has become a poster child around the world for why people shouldn’t do business with China.” Meyer replied that the U.S. aims for “open and transparent” relations and will work with Sri Lanka to assert its sovereignty, especially over ports.
Broadening the Indo‑Pacific strategy, Meyer stressed that defence and law‑enforcement cooperation would be central to U.S. engagement. He outlined plans to tackle security threats, help with disaster relief, combat transnational crime and trafficking, and enhance maritime domain awareness. The U.S. would also help secure trade waterways, lock in commercial opportunities for American companies, and elevate Sri Lanka’s role as an emerging regional security partner.
Meyer promised close collaboration with Congress if confirmed, leading an interagency team to implement a foreign‑policy agenda that “makes America safer, stronger and more prosperous.” He closed by tracing Sri Lanka’s journey from its 2022 debt crisis, the push for IMF‑backed reforms, and the increasing pressure from China’s infrastructure financing, noting that the country is striving to rebalance ties amid growing competition in the Indian Ocean.
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