‘A California girl turned diplomat,’ as her ‘X’ account describes her, Julie Chung, US ambassador in Sri Lanka, is actually turning out to be a ‘Sri Lankan ambassador’ to the world, or at least in her own country, the USA.
Arriving in Sri Lanka in February 2022 to take over her country’s Colombo posting, Chung saw for herself one of Sri Lanka’s most decisive periods, coupled with a people’s struggle aimed at ‘system change’ and a huge economic crisis, which the country underwent.
I am sure, immediately after her arrival, she may have had her work cut out to ensure she provided support to the country to overcome the twin crisis.
While an ambassador’s role has many facets, such as maintaining strong diplomatic ties and attending to various fabrics of a country, this article looks at a different perspective, which Ms. Julie Chung brings to the table.
If you go through her ‘X’ account, www.howsrilanka.com found that she is a serious lover of Sri Lanka and its beautiful, wonderful, and exciting offerings to the world.
During her 4 years so far in the country, it seems the US Ambassador has covered Sri Lanka’s North, South, East, and West amply enough to explain the country to anybody, even more than a Sri Lankan.
“Reflecting on my dive a few weeks ago to the Great Basses—marine life, shipwreck, reefs & caves. Sri Lanka has some incredible diving that deserves more attention!” she noted in her ‘X’ account following her diving session in Sri Lankan seas.
The Californian girl, who migrated to the USA from South Korea, also posted a picture where she was reading “Reefs of Taprobane,’ written by Arthur C. Clarke, while enjoying a beachsideresort during a weekend.
Sri Lanka offers ample beaches and resorts to enjoy immensely.
She has visited the quiet nature of Yala National Park,located in the southeastern parts of Sri Lanka, enjoying the elephants ’among many animals present.
“God has blessed Sri Lanka with the most magical sunsets. No filter needed,” says Chung, who was the Acting Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs before taking up the Sri Lanka position.
No visitor will miss Sri Lanka’s Hill Capital, which boasts of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the Dalada Maligawa. It seems from his pictures she had almost a ‘bird’s-eye view’ of the sacred place.
Chung, who also has served at the U.S. embassies in Iraq, Colombia, Vietnam, and Japan, and the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China, has not forgotten to give a helping hand to up-and-coming young entrepreneurs in the country.
“Great day for good food at Brown Sugar Café, a lovely neighborhood spot in Colombo, with the owners of Twins Café. Love Bringing people together & promoting these small business owners, uplifting one another,” she highlighted in her ‘X’ account. This writer got to know about the Brown Sugar Café from Chung’s ‘X’ post and plans to visit the place very soon.
She also has boosted the hangoutof two friends, “Don & Lahiru’, the partners of Smoke & Bitters.
“Their friendship is inspirational & put Sri Lanka on the global food and beverage map,’ Chung says.
Sri Lankans of the 80s and 90s generation know very much about the ‘Baywatch’ American drama, but the world now knows about Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay, the surfing destination. Chung has high praise for the place on her ‘X’ account.
“I can see why Arugam Bay is such a popular surf spot—great waves, fun vibe, and ever-beautiful Sri Lankan sunsets. #visitsrilanka,” she has written.
Ms. Julie Chung, who holds a B.A. in political science from the University of California, San Diego, and an M.A. in international affairs from Columbia University, is one of the best US ambassadors Sri Lanka has got, who is promoting Sri Lanka’s attractions to the world.
She has unfinished business here before she takes up the next assignment, which is to promote #visitSriLanka.
Authored by: LDPCR