The embassies of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom in Sri Lanka stressed the “extreme urgency of situation” on the island and called for “in-depth discussion with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the reforms needed to bring the Sri Lankan economy back to a sustainable path”.
In a statement released this morning, the missions of the states also called on “all parties to explore constructive and democratic ways out of the current crisis” as anti-government protests continue in the South.
Demonstrations erupted last week, throwing Sri Lanka’s government into a political crisis. The state has been facing an unprecedented economic disaster with soaring prices of basic goods plunging millions into poverty.
Following the resignation of Ali Sabry, after holding the position of Finance Minister for a day, Sri Lanka's government has now appointed a new secretary to the Finance Ministry, Mahinda Siriwardena, and new Central Bank governor, Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe.
It remains unclear whether discussions with the IMF will take place.