Former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested US President Donald Trump to reconsider the decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization on humanitarian grounds.

In his letter, Wickremesinghe said the entire world is grappling with the disastrous impact of COVID19 and it has crippled the civilian life in all countries in ways that are unprecedented.

The American taxpayers provide between USD 400-500 million in funding to the WHO each year.

Trump decided to halt funding to the WHO citing mismanagement of the COVID19 outbreak.

Wickremesinghe says the US President's decision to halt funding for the WHO will have a detrimental impact on WHO-funded programmes in countries such as Sri Lanka.