🇺🇸 US Ambassador Julie Chung to Conclude Tenure in Sri Lanka

US Ambassador Julie Chung will depart Sri Lanka on 16 January 2026, ending a nearly four-year tenure that began in February 2022. Following her departure, Deputy Chief of Mission Jayne Howell will serve as Chargé d’Affaires until a successor is appointed. • Economic & Trade Impact: Ambassador Chung’s leadership was pivotal during Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, overseeing support for the IMF Extended Fund Facility. She also facilitated US Department of Agriculture packages to bolster food security and recently coordinated humanitarian aid following Cyclone Ditwah in December 2025. • Security & Maritime Cooperation: Strategic ties were strengthened through the transfer of maritime assets, including two US Coast Guard vessels and a Beechcraft King Air aircraft. Cooperation deepened via regional exercises (CARAT, ATLAS ANGEL) and an MOU between the Montana National Guard and the Ministry of Defence to secure the maritime domain. • Key Milestones: • Celebrated 75 years of bilateral relations in 2023. • Oversaw the move to a new LEED Gold–certified embassy facility in 2022. • Resumed the Peace Corps program (2024) and expanded educational outreach in Batticaloa and Trincomalee. • Cultural Preservation: Supported the conservation of the Godawaya shipwreck via the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, linking heritage with the broader Indo-Pacific strategy.