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Economic crisis forces Sri Lankans to moonlight as prices soar
Beset by fuel shortages and soaring food prices, millions in Sri Lanka struggle to survive the Indian Ocean nation's worst economic meltdown since independence in 1948.
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Protestors hold banners and placards during a demonstration against the surge in prices and shortage of fuel and other essential commodities in Colombo on April 3, 2022. Armed troops in Sri Lanka had a tense confrontation with a crowd protesting a worsening economic crisis on April 3, after a social media blackout failed to halt another day of anti-government demonstrations. (AFP/Ishara S. Kodikara)
S
ri Lankan waiter Abdul Razzak hoped to supplement his wages by moonlighting as an Uber Eats food courier using his friend's motorcycle. It didn't work out - instead of doing deliveries, he ended up stuck in queues to buy gasoline.
Beset by fuel shortages, power cuts and soaring food prices, many Sri Lankans are being forced to take on second jobs as millions struggle to survive the Indian Ocean nation's worst economic meltdown since independence in 1948.
"We have never come across this kind of economic hardship," said Razzak, 53.
"Sometimes my wife and I go hungry so that we can feed our children two meals. It used to be three."
Historically weak government finances, badly timed tax cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the vital tourism industry, have decimated the economy, triggering a currency crisis that has disrupted fuel imports and caused skyrocketing food prices.
"We can't survive here anymore," said Indika Perera, 43, a security guard at a private company in the main city of Colombo who earns 42,000 rupees (US$155) a month.
What cost Perera about 10,000 rupees a month on groceries before the coronavirus struck, now costs him half of his salary.
