US Ambassador Meets Mahanayake Theros of Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters

25-Sep-2026

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US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer has assured the Mahanayake Theros of the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters that he will work towards strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and the United States in the coming years.

Eric Meyer, who recently assumed duties as the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, met the Mahanayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero, in Kandy and received his blessings.

During the subsequent discussion, the Mahanayake Thero welcomed the US decision to reduce tariffs imposed on Sri Lanka and expressed hope that the United States would provide further tariff concessions to Sri Lanka.

The United States is Sri Lanka’s largest export market. Garments account for the largest share of Sri Lankan exports to the United States. Accordingly, goods worth approximately US$1.44 billion were exported from Sri Lanka during the first half of this year, accounting for around 20 per cent of the country’s total merchandise exports.

It was against this backdrop that the Mahanayake Thero made the above remarks and presented the US Ambassador with an English translation of the Dhammapada, explaining that the book provides guidance on how to lead a successful life.

Subsequently, Ambassador Eric Meyer met the Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero. During the meeting, the Mahanayake Thero spoke about the longstanding relations between Sri Lanka and the United States and expressed hope that those relations would be further strengthened during Ambassador Meyer’s tenure.

Responding, Ambassador Eric Meyer said that he had first visited Kandy and other parts of Sri Lanka as a tourist approximately 25 years ago and assured that he would work towards strengthening relations between the two countries in the years ahead.