Colombo, August 1, 2025 — The United National Party (UNP) has urged the Sri Lankan government to provide a clear and comprehensive statement regarding the recent developments in trade and security arrangements with the United States.
In an official statement, the UNP referenced a declaration by the US government emphasizing that trading partners’ goods will continue to face additional “ad valorem” duties until formal agreements on trade and security are finalized. The statement highlighted that a subsequent official order will detail the terms of these agreements once concluded.
“The new order of the US government has stated that goods of trading partners will remain subject to the additional ‘ad valorem’ duties until such agreements are concluded and a subsequent order will be issued memorializing the terms of these agreements,” the UNP statement said.
The party called on the government to clarify the current status and content of these negotiations, emphasizing the need for transparency to safeguard Sri Lanka’s economic interests and maintain stable bilateral relations.
The government has yet to release a detailed response on the matter, leaving uncertainty among traders and stakeholders regarding the impact of ongoing tariff measures.
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