Disposing dead bodies in Sri Lanka becomes a challenge as gas shortage now hits crematoriums

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<strong>Sri Lanka’s deepening economic crisis has not spared even the country’s dead. The island nation does not have enough gas even to run crematoriums. A local resident said that people who come to the crematorium to perform the last rites of the dead, often have to wait for long.</strong></p>
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According to an AFP report, Sri Lanka will preserve a portion of its scarce fuel supplies for the cremation of Buddhists, whose funeral rites have been disrupted amid this crisis.</p>
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The economic crisis has led to an unprecedented shortage of fuel, food and medicines in the country. In fact the number of school dropouts is also increasing despite having a provision for universal free education.</p>
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Now in a bid to encourage citizens to grow their own food, Colombo has decided to give an extra day off to about one government officials and move to four day work structure.</p>
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“When you are struggling for food and other essential items such as fuel, sending children to school is beyond luxury,” a citizen based in Colombo told India Narrative.</p>
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“It is now about survival, it is about arranging for two square meals,” he said.</p>
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Meanwhile, India has decided to provide another credit line to cash starved Sri Lanka, which will support fuel purchase for four months beginning July.</p>
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Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is currently battling the toughest battle of his political career. Colombo has already initiated talks with the International Monetary Fund  (IMF) for a bailout package. Barring India, no country has come forth in helping Sri Lanka during its gravest time, Wickremesinghe said sometime ago.</p>
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Though the World Bank provided a loan of $700 million to cash strapped Sri Lanka last month, Colombo needs to finalise the IMF bailout package as soon as possible.</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/economy-news/for-survival-sri-lanka-may-need-help-before-a-imf-package-is-finalised-176898.html">For survival, Sri Lanka may need help before an IMF package is finalised</a></strong></p>
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<strong><a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/india-to-supply-fertiliser-to-sri-lanka-to-avert-food-shortage-says-president-gotabaya-175230.html">India to supply fertiliser to Sri Lanka to avert food shortage, says President Gotabaya</a></strong></p>