• Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves are at an all-time low.
• The nation is struggling to pay for essential imports of food, medicine, and fuel.
• Fuel supplies will be restricted to only necessary services, such as trains and buses.

A minister has said that beginning on Tuesday, schools will be closed throughout Sri Lanka, and that fuel supplies will be restricted to only those services that are considered necessary, such as health care, trains, and buses. This is part of a desperate attempt to deal with a serious shortage.

The nation is going through its worst economic crisis ever, with foreign exchange reserves at an all-time low and the island nation of 22 million people struggling to pay for essential imports of food, medicine, and, most importantly, fuel. The foreign exchange reserves are at an all-time low because the nation is going through its worst economic crisis ever.

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Only approximately a week to ten days’ worth of fuel is available to the nation’s industries, including the garment industry, which generates a significant amount of revenue for the country. According to calculations done by Reuters, the country’s existing supplies will run out in a little under a week given the current level of demand.

Bandula Gunewardena, the spokesman for the governing cabinet in Sri Lanka, told reporters on Tuesday that the island nation will restrict the distribution of fuel to just trains and buses, as well as medical services and vehicles that transport food between now and July 10.

He stated that all schools in urban areas would be closed, and that everyone would be encouraged to work from home. The availability of bus service between the provinces would be restricted.

Gunewardena stated that Sri Lanka had never before seen an economic crisis of this magnitude in its whole history.

W. D. Shelton, 67, who drives an autorickshaw, reported that he had waited in line for fuel for four days straight.

He stated, “During this time, I haven’t been able to get a good night’s sleep or eat properly.” Because we are unable to work, we are unable to provide for our families.

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