Ranil Wickremesinghe

Sri Lanka receives first tranche of IMF bailout

Colombo is also banking on the IMF deal to unfreeze billions of dollars in foreign aid for projects suspended since Sri Lanka defaulted on its loans last year.

IMF approves $2.9B bailout for cash-strapped Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka defaulted on its foreign debt in April 2022 as the country plunged into its worst economic downturn since independence because of a major shortage in foreign currency reserves.

Strike grips Sri Lanka as unions protest IMF bailout

Unions say the strikes will continue until the government responds to their demand to reverse the new taxes.

Sri Lanka's president suspends parliament until policy address

Ranil Wickremesinghe government did not give a clear reason for the move, but his office, in a statement, said his address to lawmakers on February 8 will announce new policies and laws.

Sri Lanka to hold first polls since political crisis in July

Local government elections scheduled in February will be a test of the popularity of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who replaced ousted leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka's ousted leader faces arrest calls after return

Rajapaksa touched down in Colombo seven weeks after he fled the extraordinary protests triggered by an economic meltdown that many lay at his feet.

Sri Lanka's ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns home

On July 13, the ousted leader, his wife and two bodyguards left aboard an air force plane for the Maldives, before traveling to Singapore from where he officially resigned. He flew to Thailand two weeks later.

Sri Lanka's deposed president Rajapaksa 'to return home' from Thailand

The former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa had a 90-day visa to remain in Thailand, but opted to return with his wife, a bodyguard and another aide.

Sri Lanka to restart IMF bailout talks amid economic crisis

Sri Lanka's government is preparing a policy framework to be presented to the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and international creditors, as it seeks a way out of its worst economic disaster.

Sri Lanka president seeks unity government amid economic crisis

President Ranil Wickremesinghe aims to form an "all-party government" to battle the economic crisis that led to months of lengthy blackouts and shortages of food, fuel and medicine in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka delays agreement with IMF 'due to unrest'

Deal with International Monetary Fund pushed back to September due to protests that ousted Gotabaya Rajapaksa, says new President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Rights groups urge Sri Lanka not to use force on peaceful protesters

Hundreds of armed troops have raided a protest camp outside the president's office in Colombo, drawing condemnation from international human rights groups.