Sri Lanka opens IMF talks, starts shutdown

By Agence France-Presse

Jun 21, 2022 12:12 am

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka closed schools and halted all nonessential government services on Monday, beginning a two-week shutdown to conserve fast-depleting fuel reserves as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) opened talks with Colombo on a possible bailout.

The South Asian country of 22 million people is in the grip of its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948 after running out of dollars to finance even the most essential imports, including fuel.

GUARDING GAS A Sri Lankan security personnel stands guard at a Ceylon Petroleum Corp. fuel station in Colombo on Sunday, June 19, 2022. AFP PHOTO

Already have an active account? Log in here to continue reading.
Or
Subscribe to the Premium Subscription plan to access this subscriber-exclusive article.

Related Articles

Hundreds of UK police sacked for misconduct

US approves potential sale of early warning aircraft to South Korea

North Korea fires a barrage of ballistic missiles toward the sea ahead of US election

Indonesian President Prabowo to visit China this week

World's first wooden satellite launched into space

Spain dreads more flood deaths on day six of rescue

Prince William meets young environmentalists and plays rugby on first day of South Africa visit