17 hours Ago By Thilina Walpola
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a high-level committee to analyse the potential economic impact of the new tariffs by US President Donald Trump and make recommendations. US President Donald Trump yesterday announced 44% tariff on Sri Lankan goods exported to the US. The move, described by the U.
S. as a reciprocal measure in response to what it claims are Sri Lanka’s 88% trade barriers on American goods, has placed Sri Lanka among the countries facing the highest tariff rates globally. The committee comprises key economic policymakers and industry experts, including the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Governor of the Central Bank Dr.
Nandalal Weerasinghe, Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI), the Chairman of the Export Development Board (EDB), and the Director General of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, Senior Economic Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chief Economic Policy Advisor of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Shiran Fernando, and business heavyweights Ashroff Omar, Sharad Amalean, and Saif Jafferjee have been appointed to the committee. This initiative aims to assess challenges arising from the US tariff adjustments and propose strategic measures to mitigate any adverse effects on Sri Lanka’s economy and trade.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the government in the coming weeks.
