Sri Lanka’s crisis cripples once burgeoning middle class

By KRUTIKA PATHI and BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI
Associated Press

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, the worst in its history, has completely recast the lives of the country’s once galloping middle class. For many families that never had to think twice about fuel or food, the effects have been instant and painful, derailing years of progress toward lifestyles aspired to across South Asia. An island nation of 22 million, Sri Lanka is hurtling towards bankruptcy after amassing $51 billion in foreign debt. The prime minister said Wednesday the economy has “completely collapsed.” The country lacks cash to pay for imports of necessities, while families cut back on portions, struggling to manage three meals a day. Lining up to buy scarce fuel can take hours, or even days.