New Trends of US-Sri Lanka Diplomatic Relations

Abstract

The 70th anniversary of US-Sri Lankan diplomatic relations was celebrated in 2018. The diplomatic relations between the US and Sri Lanka are mainly based on mutual interests, a shared commitment to the ideals of democratic governance, progress and development. The US has prioritized sovereignty, moderate nonaligned foreign policy, and support for Sri Lankan unity, territorial integrity, democracy and socio-economic development through their foreign policy towards Sri Lanka. The US can be distinguished as the largest trading partner of Sri Lanka. In this study new trends of US-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations were examined with a perspective of Sri Lankan citizen. The US is the super power in this international system. Therefore, Sri Lanka much more needs mechanisms, strong and strategic foreign policies when engage with the US. Dynamic nature and fluctuations are reflected in the United States- Sri Lanka diplomatic relations from 2005 to 2018. These dynamics have negatively consequence on US-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations. Therefore, the factors which constrained diplomatic relations can reflect in bi lateral diplomatic relations due to considerable reasons during the time period of 2005-2018. The main objective of this research study is to evaluate the reasons for these dynamics of diplomatic relations between the US and Sri Lanka. This article is based on qualitative secondary data obtained from online articles and other sources such as E-books, E-reports, some journals published by various institutions related to US-Sri Lankan relations. The study scope is to identify the economic and political relations between both actors from 2005 to 2018. The research findings manifest that US- Sri Lankan relations are largely based on development assistant and human rights. It also concludes that both countries can uplift their relations through mutual understanding