“The Rajapaksa government has old everything to China” is the accusation that the government is facing. The citizens are fuming over their situation. They are disappointed that their country has nothing, and everything that they had was on credit from other countries.
Prices of fruits and vegetables are soaring high, all thanks to disastrous economic and political mayhem.
As quoted in the news report by Asian News International, a fruit vendor, Farukh, said that before three to four months, apples were ₹ 500 per kg, which has now doubled to ₹ 1000 per kg. One could buy pear at ₹ 700 per kg earlier, which has seen an almost two-fold jump to ₹ 1500 per kg. People do not even have to purchase these.
He added, “The Sri Lankan government sold everything to China. That is the biggest problem. Sri Lanka has no money as it has sold everything to China. It is buying everything on credit from other countries.”
They expressed their discontent and anger, saying the prices are soaring each day, and they are left with little cash to meet their ends.
Another food vendor, Raja, also expressed his concern about the business. He said, “There is no business. Gotabaya is no good, and he needs to leave.”
Amid the murderous economic situation in Sri Lanka, the leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, has called the Executive Presidential system a failure.
“For nearly 20 years, every leader promised to abolish the Executive Presidency but only strengthened it,” Premadasa said vehemently in his speech in parliament on Tuesday, jogging Parliamentarians’ memory about the requirement of reform in the existing electoral system.
The Sri Lankan government has collapsed and shredded into pieces like their economy. The president appointed new Finance Minister Ali Sabry, who earlier handled the portfolio of a law minister, by sacking Basil Rajapaksa from his post. In just 24 hours, the newly appointed finance minister quit his new role on Tuesday.
Newly-appointed FM of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry resigns from his post
“After much reflection&deliberation&taking into consideration the current situation I’m now of the view, for your Excellency to make suitable interim arrangement to navigate this unprecedented crisis,” reads letter pic.twitter.com/HIPbRibZ3D
— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2022
Sri Lanka is going through an unprecedented economic crisis, with food and fuel shortage affecting the lives and livelihood of many. The economy has disarrayed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also Read: Sri Lankan president declares state of emergency amid economic crisis
Sri Lanka has run out of foreign exchange, which has become an Achilles heel for the government when importing food and gasoline, resulting in power outages. Sri Lanka was forced to seek aid from friendly countries due to a shortage of necessary products.
Earlier on Saturday, India helped the island nation by delivering 40,000 MT of diesel to offset the power crisis. For the fourth time, the government provided fuel to Colombo as part of India’s US $500 million oil line of credit (LoC) with Sri Lanka.
Besides, over the last 50 days, India has delivered around 200,000 MT of fuel to the island nation.