Sri Lank Crisis
Roshan Mahanama has asked Sri Lankans to look after one another during the country’s economic crisis. He was seen distributing tea and buns to people waiting in long lines at a petrol station in the Ward Place and Wijerama Mawatha areas of the island nation. Food, medicine, cooking gas and other fuel, toilet paper, and even matches are all in low supply due to the economic crisis.
The country is having difficulty obtaining foreign cash to pay for much-needed fuel imports, and its current stock of gasoline and diesel is expected to run out in a couple of days. People are forced to queue for hours outside stores to buy fuel and cooking gas while the country negotiates with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a rescue package.
“We provided tea and buns to people in the petrol queues near Ward Place and Wijerama Mawatha this evening with the Community Meal Share crew. The lines are growing longer by the day, and those who remain in line face numerous health concerns “Mahanama, who was a member of the Sri Lankan cricket team that won the 1996 ODI World Cup, shared photos of himself pouring tea and buns to fans on Twitter.
“Please keep an eye out for one another in the fuel lines. Bring enough water and food, and if you’re not feeling well, please seek for help from the person closest to you or call 1990. During these trying times, we must look out for one another “He went on to say.
Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst economic downturn since independence. Thousands of tonnes of petroleum and petrol, as well as food and medical supplies, have been sent to the debt-ridden island nation by India to assist alleviate the acute fuel crisis.
Meanwhile, Australian players who are now in Sri Lanka for a multi-format series have expressed their support for the country, which is undergoing a crisis.
Pacer Mitchell Starc and batter Steve Smith said they are asking friends to ‘help in any way they can’ in the UN’s request for $47.2 million in emergency funds in a video published by the Australian High Commission in Colombo.
According to the UN, 1.7 million people in the 22 million-strong country are in need of ‘life-saving assistance,’ with more than three-quarters of the population reducing their food consumption due to food shortages.
“In Sri Lanka, the United Nations has launched a rapid appeal to assist underprivileged populations hit by the catastrophe,” Starc said.
“We are pleased that Australia is contributing. We can help Sri Lanka get through this crisis in six months if we work together “Smith stated.