Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst economic troubles since its independence in 1948. The nation has run out of funds to import even fuel, food and medicines.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Roshan Mahanama is teaming up with a non-profit organization to serve refreshments to citizens waiting in long queues to get petrol in the crisis-hit country.
Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst economic troubles since its independence in 1948. The country has run out of funds to import even fuel, food and medicines.
In a tweet on June 18, Roshan Mahanama said Sri Lankans needed to look after each other in difficult times.
“We served tea and buns with the group from Community Meal Share tonight for people at the petrol lines around Ward Place and Wijerama Mawatha,” he said. “The lines are getting longer continuously and there will be many health risks to people staying in queues.”
Mahanama advised citizens to look out for others standing in queues with them. “Bring sufficient liquid and food and if you’re not well please, reach out to the closest person next to you and ask for support or call 1990,” he added.
Sri Lanka has been witnessing protests and riots since March. As outrage against the government’s handling of the crisis intensified, Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down as prime minister in May.
The circumstance in the island country is critical to such an extent that four out of five people have started skipping meals , the United Nations said, AFP reported.
The World Food Program, UN’s food assistance branch, is attempting to raise $60 million to support a food relief effort for Sri Lanka among June and December.
Earlier this week, it started handing out food vouchers to pregnant women in the capital Colombo.
The public government declared a fourteen day closure of state institutions and schools in a bid to reduce commuting and conserve depleting fuel stocks in the impoverished nation.
“Please, look after each other in the fuel queues. Bring sufficient liquid and food and if you’re not well please, connect with the nearest people close to you and request backing or call 1990. We really want to care for one another during these troublesome times,” the cricketer asked.
Sri Lanka defaulted on its $51 billion foreign debt in April, and is in chats with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout.
