In pics: Protests, fuel shortages and power cuts; a look at Sri Lanka's economic crisis
A massive crowd continues to remain gathered at Galle Face, the main beachfront in the capital Colombo, outside Sri Lankan President`s secretariat to protest against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the economic crisis in the country with agitators at the protest site terming the government tyrant and full of nepotism.
A massive crowd continues to remain gathered at Galle Face, the main beachfront in the capital Colombo, outside Sri Lankan President`s secretariat to protest against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the economic crisis in the country with agitators at the protest site terming the government tyrant and full of nepotism.
The agitation comes at the backdrop of violent protests that erupted as hundreds of demonstrators gathered in various parts of the country and demanded the President’s resignation for what they called his failure in addressing the worst economic crisis in Lanka.
Several people have also been injured in the chaos so far after the authorities used tear gases and water to disperse the crowd.
Sri Lanka is presently reeling from one of the worst economic crises.
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Sri Lanka is facing a foreign exchange shortage
Sri Lanka is also facing a foreign exchange shortage, which has affected its capacity to import food and fuel. The shortage of essential goods has forced Sri Lanka to seek assistance from friendly countries. India had earlier provided Sri Lanka with a USD 500 million Line of Credit for fuel purchases which are expected to exhaust soon.
Sri Lanka introduces fuel rationing in view of economic crisis
In midst of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka which has led to a shortage of essential commodities, the country has introduced fuel rationing for most categories of non-commercial vehicles. Fuel will only be issued for LKR 1000 for Motorcycles, LKR 1,500 for three-wheelers, and LKR 5,000 for Cars, Vans, and Jeeps.