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
Oct 9
Business Daily meets: Fani Titi, Investec CEO
The South African grew up under the racist apartheid system as one of 14 children. He looked set for a life in farming, until a chance event took him down a different path – ultimately becoming CEO of the multinational banking group, Investec. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: El ... Show More
17m 27s
Oct 8
Small country: Big tariffs
We head to Switzerland, a small but very successful country with a population of just 9 million.And now coping with some of US President Donald Trump’s highest tariffs. In August the original threat of 31% tariffs was raised to 39%. Two months on, efforts to negotiate with Washin ... Show More
17m 30s
Oct 7
Should we expect more airline delays?
Passengers are suffering more disruption as technology at airports, airlines and air traffic control is failing.But why is aviation software becoming more prone to failure and vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and what is the solution to preventing delays?Presented and produced by Rus ... Show More
17m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2022
Protesters, power cuts and Sri Lanka’s persistent president
Empty shelves, rising food and fuel costs along with power cuts are unifying much of Sri Lanka against its president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. And now, the economic crisis may be even worse. Rajapaksa’s government is announcing the country is no longer able to repay billions in loans. ... Show More
22m 32s
Jul 2022
Sri Lanka: A country in chaos
Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned as the country's president but he leaves behind a nation in utter turmoil. There are shortages of food, fuel, electricity and other basic supplies, and protests have been erupting across the country in what is the worst politi ... Show More
22m 35s
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?
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 th ... 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