logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
18m 37s

Leaving Sri Lanka

Bbc World Service
About this episode

In the past year, Sri Lanka has endured political pandemonium and the worst economic crisis in its modern history. The situation has led to the highest number of people leaving the country on record.

The Sri Lankan government has secured an IMF bailout - but will that help stop the exodus?

In this episode we’ll hear from entrepreneur Brindha Selvadurai Gnanam, who has stayed put – as well as from students Meshith Ariyawansa and Ravishan Nethsara, who feel they need to leave for a good standard of living.

Presenter / producer: Laura Heighton-Ginns Image: Sandy's classroom; Credit: BBC

Up next
Today
The worldwide weight-loss revolution
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound are reshaping the treatment of obesity around the world. But even when these medicines are judged “cost-effective”, access often depends on who can afford to pay. In the second episode of our Business Daily se ... Show More
17m 27s
Yesterday
Weight-loss drugs. Who pays?
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro are reshaping the treatment of obesity — and transforming the global pharmaceutical market.Originally developed to treat type-2 diabetes, these injectable medicines — including semaglutide and tirzepatide — ar ... Show More
17m 28s
Feb 27
How a spiked drink led to a startup
Today - from a teenage DIY invention, to US national TV, to changing legislation, and now global sales. What started as a way to protect a friend who’d been drugged at a college bar became a product made from an old hair scrunchie and her mum’s stockings. Shirah Benarde tells us ... Show More
22m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2023
Sri Lanka bailout: Will it really get better?
IMF has approved a $3bn bailout package for the bankrupted Sri Lanka. The nation's foreign minister pledged to reconstruct its state-own enterprises and their national airline but it seems like there is still a long road ahead for the island in South Asia, after getting multiple ... Show More
27m 25s
Jun 2022
How did Sri Lanka's economic crisis get this bad?
Sri Lanka's economic crisis seems to be going from bad to worse. The government has now restricted the sale of fuel days after the Prime Minister said the economy had completely collapsed. So what's caused the crisis? And what are the consequences? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra  Gue ... Show More
21m 55s
Jul 2022
Is Sri Lanka’s economic crisis a canary in the coal mine?
<p>Sri Lanka is facing dire fuel and food shortages amid ongoing economic and political crises. In this week’s episode, the FT’s Antoni Slodkowski shares what he’s seen after a week of reporting in Sri Lanka. And then, emerging markets correspondent Jonathan Wheatley explains how ... Show More
17m 28s
Jul 2022
Sri Lanka overthrew its president, what now?
Sri Lanka’s president just resigned after months of protest and a deepening economic crisis. Despite Rajapaksa’s departure and the celebratory scenes of demonstrators partying at the president’s home, the people of Sri Lanka have a massive debt hole to climb out of and people hav ... Show More
27m 52s
Jul 2022
Sri Lanka on the edge
Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence, with inflation soaring to the highest rate in Asia. The country’s energy minister warned at the weekend that the country would soon run out fuel as long queues formed at petrol stations, with many staying for days ... Show More
29 m