Sri Lanka's president has appointed a panel of experts to organise a restructuring of foreign debt as he seeks a way out of a worsening economic crisis, with protests demanding his resignation escalating.
Shortages of food and fuel, along with record inflation and regular blackouts, have inflicted unprecedented misery on Sri Lankans in the since independence from Britain in 1948.
Ratings agencies have warned of a potential default on the nation's $51 billion (A$68 billion) foreign debt, with authorities unable to secure more commercial loans because of credit downgrades.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office said late Wednesday that a three-member advisory panel had been tasked with guiding Sri Lanka through a "sustainable and inclusive recovery".
His government is preparing for bailout negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, and finance ministry officials told news agency AFP the trio will prepare a programme for sovereign bond holders and other creditors to take a haircut.
Anti-riot police officers take cover from the rain under their shields as they stand in position during a rally at the entrance road of the Sri Lankan prime minister's official residence in Colombo on 7 April, 2022. Source: Getty / Ishara S. Kodikara
"It will be a negotiated restructuring of the debt with the help of the IMF."
The president appointed pro-IMF retired central banker Nandalal Weerasinghe as the new governor.
Parliamentary Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana warned Wednesday that the economic crisis unless addressed within the week.
Meetings with the IMF are set to begin by next week but Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa — the president's brother — .
The country is still without a replacement, with his successor quitting after just one day in office.
Protesters gesture during a rally against the rise of prices and shortage of fuel on 7 April, 2022. Source: Getty, AFP / Ishara S. Kodikara
On Thursday a court in Colombo slapped a travel ban on the country's recently resigned central bank chief over allegations he was responsible for the country's predicament by not seeking IMF help earlier.
Ajith Cabraal, who quit Monday, was told to appear in court on 18 April to answer allegations of a criminal breach of trust.
Rights activist Keerthi Tennakoon has filed a petition with the court alleging the current shortages are due to Mr Cabraal's mismanagement of Sri Lanka's foreign reserves.
Court proceedings were briefly held up when the power went off.
Holidays declared
Local media have reported that protests are escalating, with civil servants and schoolchildren joining demonstrations organised largely through social media.
In an apparent bid to head off more protests, the government on Thursday declared extra public holidays for next week to coincide with the traditional Sinhalese and Tamil New Year.
Security forces have dispersed some protests with tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets, and dozens of people have been arrested, with many saying they were tortured in police custody.
Opposition parties have rejected an overture from the president to form a unity administration and joined calls for him to step down.
But chief government whip Johnston Fernando reiterated Thursday that Mr Rajapaksa would stay in office to lead the country out of the crisis.
Mr Rajapaksa attended parliament Thursday but did not address the chamber, where he has lost his majority.
There has so far been no clear signal that opposition legislators will attempt a no-confidence motion to topple the administration.
The foreign currency shortage has left Sri Lanka struggling to import essential goods, with the coronavirus pandemic torpedoing vital revenue from tourism and remittances.
Economists say the crisis has been exacerbated by government mismanagement, years of accumulated borrowing and ill-advised tax cuts.
