Colombo: There is a severe economic crisis in Sri Lanka. People are suffering from severe power outages and food shortages. Thus many places have descended into struggle. The number of refugees coming to Tamil Nadu has increased.
Sri Lanka’s currency has depreciated sharply due to declining foreign exchange reserves. This has created a major problem for the supply of imported goods. Inflation in the country stands at 17.5 percent. This is much higher than it was in 2015.
The prices of essential commodities there have multiplied due to the severe economic crisis. There is also a shortage of fuel. People have been hit hard by rising prices of essential commodities. Restaurants are closed. At present in Sri Lanka a kilo of rice sells for Rs.290, sugar for Rs.290 and 400g milk powder for Rs.790. The price of powder has gone up by Rs.250 in the last 3 days.
Unable to buy paper due to financial crisis, school exams Sri Lanka The government has postponed.
In many parts of the country, people have to wait a long time for fuel and food. The affected people are involved in the struggle in many places. Violence has also taken place in some places. Conflict is occurring between vendors and the public at fuel distribution centers. Subsequently, soldiers have been deployed on petrol stocks. Police say three elderly people who were queuing to buy fuel have died in the blaze.
In this situation, the government has stopped the operation of the crude oil refinery in Sri Lanka. The move comes as there is not enough crude oil to refine. However, the government has not commented on this. Fuel shortages are said to be further exacerbated as refineries are closed.
To neighbors to deal with the economic crisis Sri Lanka The government is seeking help. Accordingly, on March 17, the Government of India provided a loan of $ 100 billion (Rs. 7,500 crore) to Sri Lanka. India has announced that it will provide assistance to purchase essential items. In addition, President Rajapaksa said he had sought the help of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In the meantime, Sri Lanka The loan is expected to repay $ 400 billion by the end of this year. This includes a $ 100 billion government bond. These mature in July this year. this too Sri Lanka It has caused a great crisis for the state.
It seems that Sri Lanka has appointed an international law firm to deal with the economic crisis facing Sri Lanka and to restructure its financial position under its guidance. The move comes ahead of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Washington in April.
Refugee visit
The number of Sri Lankan Tamils coming to Tamil Nadu as refugees has increased due to the severe food shortage in Sri Lanka. The day before yesterday, 16 Sri Lankan Tamils from Jaffna and Mannar arrived in Tamil Nadu in two groups. 6 persons including 3 children in the first section and 10 persons in the next section have come to Rameswaram.
They told the Tamil Nadu police that they had left the country due to unemployment and food shortages. It seems that more and more people may come to Tamil Nadu as refugees in the coming weeks. It is estimated that about 2,000 people may become refugees.
According to the refugees, the fishermen were given up to Rs. 50,000 to reach the island of Arichal Point from Sri Lanka by boat. They were rescued by the Coast Guard by hovercraft from the Indian border island of Arichal Point. All of them have been sent to the Mandapam refugee camp, officials said.
Those who came in the second category said that they gave up to Rs. 3 lakhs to the fishermen. The boat on which they arrived was stranded in the Mediterranean due to a technical glitch. They were said to have been stranded in the Mediterranean for a whole day, after which the disorder was rectified and they reached the Pamban Bridge.