World Bank refuses new funding for Sri Lanka unless it implements 'deep structural reforms'

World Bank refuses new funding for Sri Lanka unless it implements 'deep structural reforms'
July 29, 2022, 5:48 pm

Fish vendors in Sri Lanka - Photo. Pixabay

The World Bank said Friday (July 29) that it would not offer new funding to Sri Lanka unless the bankrupt island nation carried out “deep structural reforms” to stabilize its crashing economy, the Alarabiya English reported, citing the AFP.

It said, Sri Lanka has suffered an unprecedented downturn with its 22 million people enduring months of food and fuel shortages, rolling blackouts and rampant inflation.

The South Asian nation defaulted on its $51-billion foreign debt in April and huge protests earlier this month forced then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country and resign.

The World Bank said it was concerned about the impact of the crisis on Sri Lanka’s people but was not ready to give funds until the government had bedded down necessary reforms.

The lender said in a statement: “Until an adequate macroeconomic policy framework is in place, the World Bank does not plan to offer new financing to Sri Lanka.”

Supporters of Sri Lanka's ruling party destroy tents belonging to anti-government demonstrators in front of the Prime Minister's official residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 9, 2022. (Reuters)

“This requires deep structural reforms that focus on economic stabilization, and also on addressing the root structural causes that created this crisis.”

The World Bank said it had already diverted $160 million from existing loans to finance urgently needed medicines, cooking gas and school meals.

Sri Lanka declares state of emergency ahead of vote for new president

Sri Lanka is currently in bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund but officials say the process could take months.

The island nation has run out of foreign exchange to finance even the most essential imports, and chronic shortages have inflamed public anger.

Motorists stay in long queues for days to get rationed petrol and government officials have been told to work from home to reduce commuting and save fuel.

Sri Lanka's parliament to elect new president on July 20

The UN World Food Programme estimates the crisis has forced five out of every six Sri Lankan families to buy lower-quality food, eat less or in some cases skip meals altogether.

The crisis came to a head on July 9, when tens of thousands of protesters stormed Rajapaksa’s residence, forcing the president to flee to Singapore and resign.

His successor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has declared a state of emergency and vowed a tough line against “trouble-makers,” with several activists who helped lead the mass demonstrations arrested this week.

Source: alarabiyaenglish

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