The MoU was signed by US Ambassador Atul Keshap and Dr. Harsha de Silva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo.

During the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Sri Lanka in May 2015 Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera sought US government assistance to provide advance training to Sri Lanka officials responsible for investigating serious organized crime including financial fraud, bribery and corruption, narcotics trafficking and other complex crimes.

The MoU provides for building technical support on improving relevant legal crimes, and improving operational effectiveness of government authorities responsible for investigating complex and transnational crimes.

The US government has allocated USD 2.6 million under this programme that will help enhance local capacity in fighting serious crimes and enforcing the rule of law. The MoU is another milestone in the close cooperation between Sri Lanka and USA under the government of President Maithripala Sirisena.

(Pics - Roshan Chathuranga)