Sri Lanka Under Virtual Lockdown With Fuel Supplies Halted for Private Cars

  • Distribution to be limited to essential services until July 10
  • Prime minister had said economy has ‘completely collapsed’
A closed in Colombo on June 27.Source: AFP/Getty Images
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Sri Lanka abruptly restricted fuel supplies and told residents to stay home, raising the risk of more unrest as the government struggles to provide essential goods due to a crippling sovereign debt crisis that has rocked the country for months.

The island nation’s cabinet of ministers Monday decided to limit distribution of fuel to essential services until July 10, spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said in a televised statement, adding that inter provincial public transport would likely come to a halt.