🚨 Sri Lanka scrambles for ‘alternatives’ as controversy over USAID funding continues The abrupt suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programme under President Donald Trump means Sri Lanka “may have to go for alternatives”, according to Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa, as controversy over the projects it funded continues. Much of the controversy surrounding USAID’s operations in Sri Lanka has stemmed from the Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND) project, implemented by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) with USAID funding. It was allocated $7.9 million to train Sri Lankan journalists on gender sensitivity, digital literacy, investigative journalism, and newsroom development. While expanding gender inclusivity was only one component of the programme, it became a focal point of criticism, with some accusing the initiative of promoting LGBTQ+ activism. Tech billionaire Elon Musk publicly criticised the programme, calling it a "crazy waste" of taxpayers’ money, while former MP Wimal Weerawansa alleged that the funds were part of a broader conspiracy to influence Sri Lankan youth. “They promoted various kinds of change, especially change related to the promotion of the LGBTQ+ community among the youth. $7.9 million is a massive sum,” Weerawansa claimed at a press briefing. Read more ⬇️ https://tamilguardian.com/content/sri-lanka-scrambles-alternatives-controversy-over-usaid-funding-continues