Economy has 'completely collapsed': Sri Lankan PM

Colombo: Sri Lanka is experiencing far more than shortages in food, gas and electricity, said the country's prime minister.

Ranil Wickremesinghe warned his colleagues on Wednesday that the nation is likely to fall to rock bottom.

The economy has 'completely collapsed", making it unable to pay for imported fuel.

The government missed the opportunity to rectify the situation, he said.

As the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation is in debt, no country or organisation will provide fuel to Sri Lanka, he said.

Sri Lankan prime minister said the government was seeking financial assistance from China, India, Japan and the US.

India has already provided $3bn worth of assistance to the cash-strapped nation.

A delegation from India will arrive in Sri Lanka on Thursday for further talks.

A team from the US will meet Sri Lankan officials next week.

The country's worst crisis in years is seeing people struggle to find essential items.

Protests earlier forced Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign last month.

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