ADVERTISEMENT

National Carrier to Be Privatized, PM Says: Sri Lanka Latest

Sri Lanka is sliding into a default as the grace period on two unpaid foreign bonds ends on Wednesday.

National Carrier to Be Privatized, PM Says: Sri Lanka Latest
National Carrier to Be Privatized, PM Says: Sri Lanka Latest

Debt-ridden Sri Lanka will privatize its state-run national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a televised address Monday. The island nation’s revenues have dropped sharply and its banks are out of dollars, leaving the country short of funds for essential goods, he added.

However, the country is working to try and ease the shortages of food, fuel and other essential items, the premier said, calling for patience as he tries to address the country’s dire economic crisis.

Sri Lanka is sliding into a default as the grace period on two unpaid foreign bonds ends on Wednesday, the latest blow to a country rattled by economic pain and social unrest. Wickremesinghe, was appointed last week following violent clashes between government supporters and protesters who’re demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as prime minister in Colombo on May 12.Source: Sri Lankan President’s Media Division
Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as prime minister in Colombo on May 12.Source: Sri Lankan President’s Media Division

Key Developments

  • Sri Lanka Plans to Privatize Flag Carrier to Help Pay Off Debt
  • Sri Lanka Stumbles Toward Its First Default on Foreign Debt
  • How Sri Lanka Landed in a Crisis and What It Means: QuickTake
  • Where Sri Lanka’s Inflation-Driven Crisis Could Head Next

All times local:

Sri Lanka Seeking Dollars in Open Market for Fuel Imports (6:30 p.m.)

The nation has only one day’s stock of gasoline and the government is working to obtain dollars in the open market to pay for three ships with crude oil and furnace oil that have been anchored in Sri Lankan waters, Wickremesinghe said.

Wickremesinghe said he was forced to permit the printing of more money to pay salaries, accepting that it would add pressure on the rupee. The government will present a new ‘relief’ budget for this year to replace the current spending bill, he said, adding that he expects a 13% budget deficit for 2022.

The prime minister is yet to appoint a finance minister to lead bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund.

Opposition Repeats That it Won’t Join Government (4:20 p.m.)

Harsha de Silva, a senior lawmaker from the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya, says he’s willing to head parliament’s Public Finance Committee rather than be a part of a government “that lacks legitimacy.”

Trade Unions to Hold Three Day Protest (3:30 p.m.)

Workers groups across the country will on Wednesday begin a three-day nationwide strike against the arrest of protesters involved in last week’s clashes, an umbrella organization of the country’s trade unions said in a statement. The demonstrators were instigated by the actions of the pro-government groups, they said.

“It has been decided that the trade unions will hold nationwide protests on the 18th, 19th and 20th demanding an immediate halt to the arrest and interrogation of the public who have responded to the thugs’ actions in defence of the thugs,” the statement added.

Curfew to Be Reimposed Monday Night (1:40 p.m.)

Sri Lanka will reimpose an islandwide curfew from 11: 00 p.m. Monday until 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, the president’s media unit said in a statement. The curfew, first imposed after violence erupted May 9, had been lifted since early Sunday to allow people to celebrate a Buddhist religious holiday.

Prime Minister to Address The Nation (1:35 p.m.)

Wickremesinghe will make a televised address to the nation at 6:30 p.m. Monday, his media office said. It gave no other details.

Nearly 400 Arrested For Last Week’s Violence, Report Says ( 1:00pm)

Pro-government supporters attacked peaceful protesters last Monday, igniting retaliatory violence, the Colombo Gazette reported. The arrests followed a day of arson and clashes across the country that led the government to impose a curfew and call in the army to maintain law and order.

Sri Lanka Moves Toward First Default on Foreign Debt (5:41 a.m.)

The island nation could be formally declared in default if it fails to make an interest payment to bondholders before Wednesday, when the 30-day grace period for missed coupons on dollar bonds ends. That would mark its first default.

Sri Lanka’s government announced in mid-April it would stop paying back its foreign debt to preserve cash for food and fuel imports as it struggled with a dollar crunch that’s led officials to implement capital controls and import curbs. A few days later, it failed to service a $78 million coupon on its dollar bonds due in 2023 and 2028, leading S&P Global Ratings to declare a selective default.

PM to Hold Talks On Clipping President’s Powers (10:01 p.m.)

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will discuss constitutional amendments to curb the powers of the executive presidency in a meeting with the attorney general’s department. Any suggestions and proposals will be presented to the cabinet for approval, he said in a series of tweets. 

Wickremesinghe will also give a full explanation of the financial crisis. He also said Sri Lanka is in the process of exploring other options of securing funds to pay for the coming week’s fuel requirements given the dollar scarcity in banks. 

Sri Lankan Party to Support New Government (9:28 p.m.)

The Sri Lankan Freedom Party has changed its position and will now back the formation of the unity government, local media reported, citing a letter from the party chairman to Wickremesinghe. 

A meeting between the party lawmakers and the prime minister will be held on Monday.

India Delivers 12 Shipments of Diesel (5:26 p.m.)

India’s diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka said that 12 shipments of diesel, or more than 400,000 metric tonnes, were delivered to Colombo on Sunday under a credit line between the two nations. 

For weeks Sri Lanka has been grappling with major fuel shortages that have seen drivers queue for hours outside gasoline pumps and businesses struggle to secure diesel for power generators amid hours-long power cuts.

Prime Minister Holds Talks With ADB, World Bank (5:20 p.m.)

Wickremesinghe said he held discussions with officials from the ADB and World Bank in an attempt to mobilize desperately needed funding and stocks of food, fertilizer and medicines -- all of which have been rapidly depleted in recent weeks. 

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

©2022 Bloomberg L.P.