Sri Lanka seeking 3-4 billion dollars this year to stave off crisis: Finance Minister

In Sri Lanka, Finance Minister Ali Sabry said that country needs between 3 billion to 4 billion dollars this year to pull itself out of an unprecedented economic crisis and plans to start talks with the International Monetary Fund for help.

He said, talks are scheduled to begin in Washington on



April 18 and he expects emergency relief funds a week later, if things go well.

The funds are crucial to the success of a debt restructuring process initiated by the island nation this week after suspending some outstanding loan and interest payments.