Sri Lanka begins crucial debt restructuring talks with China
Sri Lanka’s government has started debt restructuring discussions with China, an important step toward finalizing an International Monetary Fund rescue of the island nation from its worst economic crisis
By KRISHAN FRANCIS
Published - Oct 06, 2022, 03:46 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 24, 2023, 03:54 AM EDT
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s president said Thursday his government has started debt restructuring discussions with China, an important step toward finalizing an International Monetary Fund rescue of the island nation from its worst economic crisis.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Thursday that the initial talks will continue after China's Communist Party congress meeting that begins Oct. 16.
Wickremesinghe, who recently returned from a trip to Japan, also said the Japanese authorities agreed to mediate the talks with China.
“China has been supporting us from ancient times and we believe they will do the same in these difficult times,” Wickremesinghe said.
