“A Christmas Gift for Our Children”: Dullas Alahapperuma Appeals to Trump for Tariff Relief
By Lions Roar News Diplomatic Desk
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (December 31, 2025) – Former Minister and representative of the Freedom People’s Congress (Nidahas Janatha Sabhava), Dullas Alahapperuma, has reached out to U.S. President Donald Trump with a desperate plea for economic mercy. In a formal letter sent this week, Alahapperuma requested a temporary reduction in U.S. tariffs on Sri Lankan exports to help the nation recover from the dual blows of economic crisis and the recent Cyclone Ditwah.
The appeal comes at a critical time for Sri Lankan exporters, who are currently facing a 20% tariff rate on goods sent to the United States.
📉 The “12% Request”
Alahapperuma has urged President Trump to reduce the current tariff rate from 20% to 12% for the duration of 2026. He framed the request as a humanitarian “Christmas and New Year gift” to the children of Sri Lanka, whose future has been clouded by recent natural disasters.
Why the 12% Target?
- Cyclone Ditwah Recovery: The former Minister highlighted the massive destruction caused by the cyclone, noting that the U.S. has already provided $2 million in emergency aid.
- Beating the IMF Value: Alahapperuma pointed out that if this tariff reduction is granted, the annual financial benefit to Sri Lanka would exceed the value of a single tranche of IMF funding.
- Targeted Growth: The relief would allow Sri Lanka to stabilize its apparel and manufacturing sectors, which are the backbone of the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
🏗️ Rebuilding Through Trade, Not Just Aid
The letter emphasizes that while direct aid is appreciated, trade concessions offer a more sustainable path to rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure and restoring livelihoods.
“This targeted relief would significantly bolster economic recovery… enabling us to rebuild infrastructure, restore livelihoods, and provide essential services directly benefiting the nation’s children,” Alahapperuma wrote in the letter.
The United States remains Sri Lanka’s largest single-country export market. Throughout 2025, the Trump administration’s “reciprocal tariff” policies have been a major point of concern for Colombo, as the local apparel industry—which employs over 350,000 workers—struggles to remain competitive under high tax burdens.
