Owners of Wagon R cards in Sri Lanka may have to drive without mirrors

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<strong>Amid an acute financial crisis in Sri Lanka, demand for side mirrors of Suzuki’s Wagor R is on the rise. But as the cash strapped island nation imposed bans on imports of several non essential items, spare parts of cars have become scarce.</strong></p>
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"Everyone is looking for Wagon R parts," Reuters quoted Supun Deshak, a salesperson engaged with a dealer selling reconditioned spare parts as saying.</p>
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The fuel efficient yet humble Wagon R is among the most popular cars in Sri Lanka. About 30,000 Wagon Rs have been sold in Sri Lanka in the last four years.</p>
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 The scramble highlights rising economic risks for the South Asian country as imports slump, foreign exchange reserves plummet and a potential sovereign default looms, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/shortage-suzuki-car-mirrors-reflects-sri-lankas-growing-economic-crisis-2022-02-18/">Reuters</a> said in its report.</p>
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According to the Ceylon Motor Trader Association, imports of spare parts for cars could drop by almost 30 per cent in value terms during the current financial year.</p>
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Sri Lanka’s depleting foreign exchange reserves has become a cause for concern among the global investors. Colombo will have to make a $1 billion bond repayment in July. While the island nation would be required to pay about $7 billion this year comprising interest and debt repayments, its foreign reserves are currently around $3 billion.</p>