A special meeting was held 25th of March at the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure with the U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. During the meeting, the Ambassador expressed her appreciation for the new government's commitment to providing housing and other benefits to plantation communities in a fair and impartial manner, without political bias. Furthermore, extensive discussions were held on innovations needed in the tea, coconut, and rubber sectors to increase the country's economic growth. The Ambassador also emphasized that efforts are being made to strengthen economic relations between the United States and Sri Lanka.

She mentioned that even the attire of the new government ministers reflects their readiness to work at any time for any task, and she expressed her admiration for this. Ambassador Chung shared that her parents, originally from Korea, immigrated to the United States and started their lives from a very challenging level. She noted that she, too, experienced hardships and worked her way up to becoming an ambassador. She further expressed her joy in seeing a minister who also rose from a difficult background in a region like Badulla, now serving the country. The Ambassador affirmed that necessary steps will be taken to strengthen the friendship between the two countries. Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Mr. Samantha Viddyarathna, Deputy Minister, Mr. Sundaralingam Pradeep, Ministry Secretary Mr. Prabath Chandrakirthi, and officials from the embassy also participated in this event.