The Prime Minister says the island nation is headed for economic 'rock bottom' as it asks for help from neighbouring nations. So how serious is the crisis, how is it affecting real people and why did they end up here?
Short of cash to pay for imports of such necessities and already defaulting on its debt, the country is seeking help from neighbouring India and China and from the International Monetary Fund .
It's a harsh reality for a country whose economy had been growing quickly, with a growing and comfortable middle class, until the latest crisis deepened.The government owes $US51 billion and is unable to make interest payments on its loans, let alone put a dent in the amount borrowed. Political corruption is also a problem; not only did it play a role in the country squandering its wealth, but it also complicates any financial rescue for Sri Lanka.
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