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Battered by economic crisis, Sri Lankans seek passport to a better life

14 Sept 11:06 Key points summarised by AI

Sri Lanka is experiencing a massive surge in passport applications, with nearly 300,000 issued in the first five months of 2022, as citizens desperately seek to escape the nation's worst economic crisis in seven decades.
Economic hardship, including job losses, skyrocketing food and fuel costs, and low wages, is forcing individuals like R.M.R Lenora to seek work abroad, often in jobs like maids in the Middle East, to support their families.
The island nation faces severe shortages of essential goods, high inflation exceeding 33%, and prolonged political and economic uncertainty, driving a widespread exodus of labourers, farmers, and public servants.
The overwhelming demand for passports has strained the Immigration and Emigration Department, leading to extensive queues and frustrated applicants, despite increased staffing and extended working hours.
While the government encourages overseas work to boost remittances, the country faces a looming food crisis and is in talks with the IMF for a bailout package to secure essential imports and stabilize its economy.

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.