EXPLAINER: Why Sri Lanka’s economy collapsed and what’s next
2 years, 5 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why Sri Lanka’s economy collapsed and what’s next

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s prime minister said late last month that the island nation’s debt-laden economy had “collapsed” as it runs out of money to pay for food and fuel. Still, Mukherjee noted that Sri Lanka sits in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, so letting a country of such strategic significance collapse is not an option. The tax cuts were recently were reversed, but only after creditors downgraded Sri Lanka’s ratings, blocking it from borrowing more money as its foreign reserves sank. To counter Sri Lanka’s fuel shortage, Wickremesinghe told The Associated Press in a recent interview that he would consider buying more steeply discounted oil from Russia.

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History of this topic

How Dissanayake’s Delhi visit is a show of India's diplomatic deftness
Trending News
1 week ago

How Dissanayake’s Delhi visit is a show of India's diplomatic deftness

Firstpost  

This visit has demonstrated that even in challenging times, with careful planning and mutual respect, diplomacy can achieve remarkable outcomes Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar Dissanayake’s recent visit to India has been widely regarded as a landmark in fostering stronger bilateral relations between the two neighbours. Tradition Meets Pragmatism One of the noteworthy aspects of the visit was President Dissanayake’s …

Challenges before the new Sri Lankan Government
1 week, 3 days ago

Challenges before the new Sri Lankan Government

New Indian Express  

In 2024, Sri Lanka witnessed seismic political shifts. In the second half of this year, voters installed a hitherto untried president and a new government, with the fervent hope that the old order should give way to a better new order. It’s taken the rather conservative Sri Lankan voters 76 years to move away from feudal parties and experiment with …

Sri Lanka To Ink Debt Deals By Year's End: Economic Development Deputy Minister
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Sri Lanka To Ink Debt Deals By Year's End: Economic Development Deputy Minister

Deccan Chronicle  

Colombo: Cash-strapped Sri Lanka vowed Thursday to complete its long-delayed foreign debt restructure within the month before a 2025 budget adhering to strict revenue targets set by the International Monetary Fund. Economic Development Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando said debt restructuring had been delayed by more than two years, costing the country an additional 1.7 billion dollars in accumulated interest. …

5 things about Sri Lanka's debt swap deal to end first-ever external loan default
3 weeks, 6 days ago

5 things about Sri Lanka's debt swap deal to end first-ever external loan default

Firstpost  

Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry has called the deal a “milestone” in rebuilding its economy, while President Anura Dissanayake, who took office in September, stressed the importance of this agreement for future stability. Sri Lanka is looking to resolve its first-ever external debt default. AFP Sri Lanka has launched a $12.5 billion debt swap initiative to resolve its first-ever external default …

IMF approves third review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout
1 month ago

IMF approves third review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout

The Hindu  

The International Monetary Fund approved the third review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout on Saturday but warned that the economy remains vulnerable. "Maintaining macroeconomic stability and restoring debt sustainability are key to securing Sri Lanka's prosperity and require persevering with responsible fiscal policy," the IMF said. However, Sri Lanka still needs to complete a $12.5 billion debt restructuring with …

IMF approves third review of Sri Lanka’s $2.9bn bailout, but warns of risks
1 month ago

IMF approves third review of Sri Lanka’s $2.9bn bailout, but warns of risks

Al Jazeera  

Global lender says it will release about $333m to crisis-hit nation as signs of economic recovery emerge. The International Monetary Fund has approved the third review of Sri Lanka’s $2.9bn bailout but warned that the South Asian island nation’s economy remains vulnerable. Sri Lanka still needs to complete a $12.5bn bondholder debt restructuring and a $10bn debt rework with bilateral …

Sri Lanka's president makes U-turn on IMF bailout
1 month ago

Sri Lanka's president makes U-turn on IMF bailout

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka's new leader on Thursday backed a controversial IMF bailout, marking a U-turn from his election pledge to renegotiate the deal secured by his predecessor. The $2.9 billion loan secured early last year required Colombo to sharply raise taxes, remove generous energy subsidies and agree to restructure more than 50 loss-making state enterprises. Mr. Dissanayake's National People's Power party …

Sri Lanka’s Marxist-leaning president appoints his Cabinet after a resounding election win
1 month ago

Sri Lanka’s Marxist-leaning president appoints his Cabinet after a resounding election win

Live Mint  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning president swore in a 21-member Cabinet on Monday after his party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority in last week’s election. Sri Lanka’s crisis was largely the result of economic mismanagement combined with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which along with militant attacks in 2019 devastated the important tourism industry. Sri Lanka’s economic …

Sri Lankan Parliamentary elections begin with issues of welfare, economic reforms at stake | WATCH
1 month, 1 week ago

Sri Lankan Parliamentary elections begin with issues of welfare, economic reforms at stake | WATCH

India TV News  

Colombo: Sri Lankans began voting on Thursday in a snap election to decide if the Indian Ocean island will give its new leftist president greater strength to help the poor as it recovers from a financial meltdown. "I think we are seeing the first signs of a positive political change in Sri Lanka after the president was elected and we …

Sri Lanka Leader Seeks to Bolster Power With Parliamentary Vote
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

Sri Lanka Leader Seeks to Bolster Power With Parliamentary Vote

Live Mint  

-- Sri Lanka holds its first parliamentary elections since the victory of its outsider leftist president, in a test of his ambitious pledges to combat corruption and rewrite an unpopular International Monetary Fund loan program. Anura Kumara Dissanayake called for early polls on the heels of his victory in the Sept. 21 presidential election, widely seen as a stunning rebuke …

‘We’ve tried everybody else’: What’s next for Sri Lanka’s turn to the left?
1 month, 1 week ago

‘We’ve tried everybody else’: What’s next for Sri Lanka’s turn to the left?

Al Jazeera  

Can the new leftist president repay debt without forcing austerity on Sri Lankans? Sri Lanka has seen it all: from the 2022 economic collapse, the mass protests that followed and the legacy of a 26-year civil war. As the newly-elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledges to steer the island back on track, can he repay the country’s debt to the …

Sri Lanka Election: ‘Progress over corruption’, litmus test for Anura Dissanayake as voters head to polls on November 14
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

Sri Lanka Election: ‘Progress over corruption’, litmus test for Anura Dissanayake as voters head to polls on November 14

Live Mint  

Sri Lanka's new leftist leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has gained unexpected support as he aims to expand his three parliamentary seats into a majority in Thursday's elections. Business leaders have speculated that Sri Lanka could adopt economic models similar to those of China or Vietnam under Dissanayake, whose party logo prominently features the hammer and sickle, symbolizing its communist ideology. …

China uses economic prowess to make inroads into Sri Lanka, provides Rs 30 mn flood relief
1 month, 2 weeks ago

China uses economic prowess to make inroads into Sri Lanka, provides Rs 30 mn flood relief

Firstpost  

Sri Lanka saw two rounds of massive flooding this year with over two dozen deaths and displacement of more than 50,000 people across the country A man waves the Sri Lankan national flag near the Presidential secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 17. Image: Arun Sankar/AFP China has provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs 30 million to compensate …

India’s foreign minister becomes the first such dignitary to visit Sri Lanka since the election
2 months, 2 weeks ago

India’s foreign minister becomes the first such dignitary to visit Sri Lanka since the election

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar met Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Friday in the first such visit of a dignitary since a new government took office in the island nation last month, amid questions over how Dissanayake would balance between regional powers China and India. At the same time, China’s support to restructure …

Sri Lanka's New President Dissolves Parliament To Make Way For November Elections
3 months ago

Sri Lanka's New President Dissolves Parliament To Make Way For November Elections

News 18  

Sri Lanka’s new leftist president dissolved parliament on Tuesday and called a snap election as he prepares to renegotiate the bankrupt nation’s unpopular International Monetary Fund bailout programme. Despite being a marginal party, the support for the 55-year-old Dissanayake’s JVP surged after a 2022 economic meltdown that immiserated millions of ordinary Sri Lankans and the painful implementation of the IMF …

IMF to begin talks with new Lanka government led by President Dissanayake
3 months ago

IMF to begin talks with new Lanka government led by President Dissanayake

The Hindu  

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday said it will discuss the timing of the next review of Sri Lanka’s loan programme and looks forward to working with the new government headed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. “We look forward to working together with President Dissanayake and his team towards building on the hard-won gains that have helped put Sri Lanka …

IMF expresses willingness to collaborate with Sri Lanka's new president on economic recovery
3 months ago

IMF expresses willingness to collaborate with Sri Lanka's new president on economic recovery

China Daily  

COLOMBO - The International Monetary Fund has expressed its eagerness to collaborate with Sri Lanka's newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, said the IMF on Tuesday. "We look forward to working closely with President Dissanayake and his administration to build on the significant progress made, which has helped steer Sri Lanka toward economic recovery after one of its worst financial …

JVP victory and its effect on the Lankan economy
3 months ago

JVP victory and its effect on the Lankan economy

Hindustan Times  

The victory of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Marxist-Leninist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, has the potential to destablise Sri Lanka’s fragile economy. Having become the first Asian nation in at least three decades to default on its sovereign debt in April 2022, Sri Lanka’s economy had been painfully restored to stability by outgoing President Ranil Wickremasinghe, while remaining vitally dependent …

Marxist Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential election as voters reject old guard
3 months ago

Marxist Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential election as voters reject old guard

NPR  

Marxist Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential election as voters reject old guard toggle caption Eranga Jayawardena/AP COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake won Sri Lanka’s presidential election, according to data released by the Election Commission Sunday, as voters rejected the old political guard that has been widely accused of pushing the South Asian nation toward economic ruin. …

How economic pain came to trump ethnic and religious issues in Sri Lanka’s election
3 months ago

How economic pain came to trump ethnic and religious issues in Sri Lanka’s election

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery A couple walks past an …

Vote count underway in Sri Lanka’s presidential election after years of turmoil
3 months ago

Vote count underway in Sri Lanka’s presidential election after years of turmoil

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Voting ended in Sri Lanka’s presidential election Saturday as the country seeks to recover from the worst economic crisis in its history and the resulting political upheaval. They will show whether Sri Lankans approve of Wickremesinghe’s leadership of a fragile recovery, including restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt under an International Monetary Fund bailout program after it defaulted …

Sri Lanka’s presidential election a test for current leader, 2 years after its economy hit bottom
3 months ago

Sri Lanka’s presidential election a test for current leader, 2 years after its economy hit bottom

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Two years ago, food cart worker Fathima Shiyama had to wait in line, sometimes for days, to get cooking gas, fuel and other essentials. Fathima Shiyama, 48, prepares local delicacies at home, to be sold later from her food cart, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. A man sits next to election posters of …

Sri Lanka: The country famed for pristine beaches and ancient temples hoping to rebuild tourism
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Sri Lanka: The country famed for pristine beaches and ancient temples hoping to rebuild tourism

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery A foreigner sits outside the Diary King home-made ice cream shop, in Galle, Sri Lanka August …

What’s at stake in Sri Lanka’s first presidential vote since its economic meltdown?
3 months, 2 weeks ago

What’s at stake in Sri Lanka’s first presidential vote since its economic meltdown?

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka will hold its presidential election on Sept. 21 in a crucial vote that will decide the future of the South Asian nation still struggling to recover from its economic collapse in 2022, which provoked mass protests and forced the former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country and later resign. Almost 17 million of …

Sri Lanka president defends IMF bailout in campaign launch
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lanka president defends IMF bailout in campaign launch

Hindustan Times  

Sri Lanka had no option but to agree to an International Monetary Fund bailout that required tough austerity measures, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said Thursday as he launched his re-election campaign. Sri Lanka president defends IMF bailout in campaign launch An unprecedented economic crisis two years ago led to months-long food and fuel shortages, triggering street protests that forced Wickremesinghe's predecessor …

​Back from the brink: The Hindu Editorial on the Sri Lankan elections and the road ahead
4 months ago

​Back from the brink: The Hindu Editorial on the Sri Lankan elections and the road ahead

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka’s ninth presidential election, scheduled for September 21, has attracted a record 39 candidates, signalling a return to “business as usual” despite the severe economic crisis of 2022. At 75, he aims to garner broad support by highlighting the political and economic stability achieved during his two-year tenure, made possible by backing from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, led …

Sri Lanka gears up for first presidential elections after economic crisis: Why the polls matter – Firstpost
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Sri Lanka gears up for first presidential elections after economic crisis: Why the polls matter – Firstpost

Firstpost  

Sri Lanka will hold presidential elections on September 21, the first since the country’s devastating economic crisis began in 2019. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been instrumental in stabilising the economy with an IMF bailout, faces significant challenges amid widespread public discontent and economic hardship Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe looks on during an interview at Presidential Secretariat, amid …

Sri Lanka will hold presidential election on September 21, its first since declaring bankruptcy in 2022
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Sri Lanka will hold presidential election on September 21, its first since declaring bankruptcy in 2022

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka’s presidential polls will be held on September 21, the Election Commission said on Friday. Some 17 million voters will have their first chance of electing the country’s leader, after a mass people’s uprising ousted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa two years ago. His office announced making a cash deposit at the Commission for his candidacy as an independent, although …

Sri Lanka's economic crisis takes centre stage as election date set for September 21
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Sri Lanka's economic crisis takes centre stage as election date set for September 21

Firstpost  

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe is widely expected to run in the election, with almost 17 million of Sri Lanka’s 22 million population eligible to vote Sri Lankan election workers hold ballot boxes for security clearance at the election office before distributing them for transport to various regions of Colombo. File images/ Reuters Sri Lanka will vote on Sept. 21 to …

Sri Lanka will hold presidential election on Sept. 21, its first since declaring bankruptcy in 2022
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Sri Lanka will hold presidential election on Sept. 21, its first since declaring bankruptcy in 2022

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka will hold a presidential election on Sept. 21 that will likely be a test of confidence in President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s efforts to resolve the country’s worst economic crisis. Sri Lanka’s crisis was largely the result of staggering economic mismanagement combined with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which along with 2019 terrorism attacks devastated its …

Sri Lanka inks pacts with OCC, China to restructure debt
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lanka inks pacts with OCC, China to restructure debt

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: Sri Lanka on Wednesday signed separate debt restructuring agreements with the Official Creditors Committee, a group co-chaired by India, and China’s Exim Bank, with New Delhi saying it will continue supporting Colombo’s economic recovery through long-term investments. The Official Creditors Committee is co-chaired by India After the International Monetary Fund’s approval of an extended fund facility for Sri …

Sri Lanka reaches deal on debt restructuring with bilateral creditors including China and France
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Sri Lanka reaches deal on debt restructuring with bilateral creditors including China and France

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced a debt restructuring deal with countries including India, France, Japan and China in a televised address to the nation Wednesday. Similarly, we signed another agreement with China’s Exim Bank today in Beijing.. Sri Lanka won,” Wickremesinghe said. Sri Lanka declared bankruptcy in April 2022 and suspended repayments on some $83 …

Sri Lanka seals debt deal with Official Creditor Committee after financial crisis
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Sri Lanka seals debt deal with Official Creditor Committee after financial crisis

The Hindu  

In what it termed a significant milestone, Sri Lanka on Wednesday sealed a deal with the Official Creditor Committee, to restructure the debt owed to its bilateral lenders including India, and signed a separate agreement with China for debt treatment. “Sri Lanka reached a final restructuring agreement for $5.8 billion of debt with its bilateral lenders’ Official Creditor Committee in …

'Procedural issues' delaying Sri Lanka debt deal: IMF
6 months, 1 week ago

'Procedural issues' delaying Sri Lanka debt deal: IMF

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka's planned foreign debt restructure after an unprecedented economic crisis has been delayed by "procedural issues" in negotiations with bilateral creditors including China, the International Monetary Fund said on June 14. The Washington-based lender of last resort this week gave Sri Lanka the latest tranche of a rescue package designed to help repair the island nation's ruined finances after …

Sri Lanka has made 'strong progress' on debt restructuring front: IMF
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Sri Lanka has made 'strong progress' on debt restructuring front: IMF

The Hindu  

“Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic policy reforms have started to “bear fruit” and the country is expected to reach agreements with external commercial creditors soon,” the IMF has said ahead of the second review of its $2.9 billion bailout programme to the cash-strapped country. Addressing a press conference on June 7, International Monetary Fund Communication Department Director Julie Kozack asserted that Sri …

China, Sri Lanka forging stronger bonds
8 months, 2 weeks ago

China, Sri Lanka forging stronger bonds

China Daily  

Premier Li Qiang meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on March 26 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. More recently, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, paid a six-day visit to China, from March 25-30. Gunawardena highlighted the opportunities available for investment in Sri Lanka, including in the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Industrial Zone, …

Economic conditions in debt-stricken Sri Lanka improving, IMF says
9 months ago

Economic conditions in debt-stricken Sri Lanka improving, IMF says

Al Jazeera  

IMF says inflation has dropped from 70 percent, economy expanded in the second half of 2023. The economic situation in debt-stricken Sri Lanka has started to gradually improve following its worst economic crisis two years ago, the International Monetary Fund has said. Sri Lanka’s year-on-year economic expansion in the third quarter of 2023 was 1.6 percent, and in the fourth …

IMF says the economic situation in debt-stricken Sri Lanka is gradually improving
9 months ago

IMF says the economic situation in debt-stricken Sri Lanka is gradually improving

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The economic situation in debt-stricken Sri Lanka has started to gradually improve following its worst economic crisis two years ago, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday. Sri Lanka’s year-on-year economic expansion in the third quarter of 2023 was 1.6% and in the fourth quarter 4.5%, the IMF said. The economic crisis in early 2022 left Sri …

Sri Lankan president says he is seeking to defer loan payments until 2028 amid economic crisis
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Sri Lankan president says he is seeking to defer loan payments until 2028 amid economic crisis

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sri Lanka's president said Wednesday …

Sri Lanka holds its first presidential election since the country declared bankruptcy
54 years, 11 months ago

Sri Lanka holds its first presidential election since the country declared bankruptcy

Associated Press  

DATE OF ELECTION Likely in November TYPE OF ELECTION Presidential WHO’S RUNNING Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe could run, seeking a mandate for his tough economic reforms, as the country strives to recover from its worst economic crisis in recent history. WHY IT MATTERS TO THE WORLD The election will be the first held after Sri Lanka was roiled by a …

Sri Lanka’s Financial Crisis Gradually Easing: Ranil Wickremesinghe
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Sri Lanka’s Financial Crisis Gradually Easing: Ranil Wickremesinghe

News 18  

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka is “gradually” emerging from its worst economic crisis after the austerity of an IMF bailout, the president said Sunday in a speech to mark independence day. Sri Lanka saw months of civil unrest at the peak of the economic crisis, culminating in the ouster of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa when thousands of protesters stormed his home. The International …

Sri Lanka achieved progress in economic recovery as people backed difficult programme: President Wickremesinghe
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Sri Lanka achieved progress in economic recovery as people backed difficult programme: President Wickremesinghe

The Hindu  

President Ranil Wickremesinghe on February 4 said Sri Lanka has achieved progress in its economic recovery process due to the steadfast support of citizens to a comprehensive long-term national rebuilding programme despite facing hardships. Addressing the 75th anniversary of Independence celebrations held in Colombo, Mr. Wickremesinghe said when the country marked Independence Day last year it was labelled bankrupt. He …

Pulling Sri Lanka out of the abyss
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Pulling Sri Lanka out of the abyss

The Hindu  

On January 9, 2024, the United National Party proposed incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe as the national presidential candidate for the elections. The first review by the IMF Board in December 2023 rated Sri Lanka’s performance as “satisfactory” meaning total IMF disbursement will be $670 million. A joint venture project between India’s Adani Group and Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings seeks to …

Crisis-ridden Sri Lanka’s economic reforms are yielding results, but challenges remain, IMF says
11 months ago

Crisis-ridden Sri Lanka’s economic reforms are yielding results, but challenges remain, IMF says

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Debt-stricken Sri Lanka’s economic reform program is yielding the first signs of recovery, but the improvements still need to translate into improved living conditions for its people, the International Monetary Fund said Friday. “The economic reform program implemented by the Sri Lankan authorities is yielding the first signs of recovery,” said Pete Breuer, the IMF’s senior …

Sri Lanka says debt restructure finalised by April
11 months, 1 week ago

Sri Lanka says debt restructure finalised by April

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka's bankrupt government said Friday that a foreign debt restructure would be finalised by the beginning of April, after signs the economy was emerging from its worst crisis on record. The IMF released a $337-million second tranche of its four-year loan last month after Colombo secured an "in principle" debt agreement with China, Sri Lanka's biggest bilateral lender. Mr. …

Sri Lanka Slaps Taxes on Fuel, Mobiles on New Year to Raise Revenue ahead of Foreign Debt Deal
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lanka Slaps Taxes on Fuel, Mobiles on New Year to Raise Revenue ahead of Foreign Debt Deal

News 18  

Sri Lanka slapped a new 18 percent value added tax on fuel, mobile phones and computers from Monday to raise desperately needed revenue ahead of a foreign debt restructuring. An earlier VAT of 15 percent on other consumer goods was also increased to 18 percent as the government sought to shore up its finances while Sri Lanka emerges from its …

Sri Lanka's economy shows positive growth for first time since crisis
1 year ago

Sri Lanka's economy shows positive growth for first time since crisis

Firstpost  

Sri Lanka is currently going through a strict IMF based reform regime. Sri Lanka’s bankrupt economy has recorded a positive growth for the first time since the onset of the economic crisis in the island nation. Sri Lanka had previously experienced a negative growth rate of minus 8 percent when it declared bankruptcy in April 2022, and the economic downturn …

Sri Lanka will get the second tranche of a much-need bailout package from the IMF
1 year ago

Sri Lanka will get the second tranche of a much-need bailout package from the IMF

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Sri Lanka needs a national liberation movement, not mere regime change: Anura Kumara Dissanayake
1 year ago

Sri Lanka needs a national liberation movement, not mere regime change: Anura Kumara Dissanayake

The Hindu  

As Sri Lanka tries to rebuild its battered economy after last year’s devastating crisis, the country’s political scene is gradually heating up, in the run up to two national elections scheduled next year — parliamentary and presidential — that will give citizens their first chance to vote, after they dislodged the Rajapaksas from power in 2022. We have developed an …

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe presents budget; says economy not out of crisis yet
1 year, 1 month ago

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe presents budget; says economy not out of crisis yet

The Hindu  

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on November 13 presented his government’s 2024 budget, emphasising the need for tough reforms until the full recovery of the cash-strapped island nation's economy. Mr. Wickremesinghe said the cost of living allowances for 1.3 million state employees and pensioners numbering 7,00,000 would be raised by Rs.10,000 and Rs.3,000 respectively from 2024. In Sri Lanka, a …

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