Acute shortages of fuel, food, medicine and other basic items, as well as soaring prices, have left the bankrupt South Asian island of Sri Lanka in despair
“our economy has completely collapsed”
Community kitchens are popping up in Colombo and beyond, giving out free food, but preparing it is another major problem. Cooking gas has also become scarce so many use firewood at home instead. There have been several reports of people collapsing and dying as they have lined up for hours in scorching heat to try to refill cylinders with gas or kerosene.Motorists have for months been queueing for petrol and diesel, often overnight and in lines kilometres long.
Doctors have also been hit with a pay cut of as much as 20 per cent, which the government imposed in May to raise revenue, and hospitals face an exodus of medical personnel who can earn much more overseas.Nine people were killed in the biggest outbreak of violence during the crisis on May 9, triggered by pro-government loyalists attacking protesters outside the office of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
There have also been reports of clashes at petrol stations, including one motorist being stabbed to death by a tuk-tuk driver in March. In the same month, a 12-year-old girl in the east coast town of Akkaraipattu was reportedly beaten for stealing biscuits and milk powder from a store.APGovernment offices and schools have closed down for two weeks this month as fuel ran out.
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