Sri Lanka’s finances are in a precarious state, but the economy was already in trouble before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between 2005 and 2015, Colombo borrowed billions from China, accumulating a mountain of debt. It was forced to hand over a port to a Chinese company after failing to keep up with payments. But Beijing is making more loans. Asia Frontier Capital's Ruchir Desai explains why China and India are keen to help Colombo out.